Yoshke’s Weekend in Bohol in 4 Minutes

Hi guys, just sharing how my weekend went told in images in less than 4 minutes to the tune of Christina Aguilera’s MONDAY MORNING from the deluxe edition of her fourth studio album Bionic. (Haha. Sorry for plugging.)

I’ll be narrating what happened on my Bohol trip in detail soon. I just need to find time as I’ve been awfully busy. And oh by the way, I did not drop any of my four trips the past month. So now I’m tired, broke, and my skin is freakin’ flakin’. Sunog na sunog. LOL.

What’s On My Mind?

“What’s on your mind?”

Every night, while lying in bed before we go to sleep and I’m unusually quiet, you’d look at me and ask, “What’s on your mind?” I’d answer with a dismissing, “Wala lang. (Nothing.)” And then, we’d talk about something else.

The truth is, I wasn’t thinking about nothing. I was thinking about you.

Have you ever wondered why I would always make sure you go to sleep before me? That’s because I love looking at you while you’re in dreamland. I would look at you, just look at you. And then I’d just find myself praying, “God, what good did I do to deserve him?”

The funny thing is, I’m not even sure if I believe in God, but I believe in you. You are real. Your love for me is real. Nothing is more real than this. What good did I do to deserve this?

I’d lool for reasons. I would consider the moment I looked for the woman who dropped her pouch when I was at a shopping center in my hometown. Or my yearly habit of donating clothes and books to kids at an orphanage in Taal, Batangas. Or that I usually volunteer. But no, they are not good enough. You are bigger than all of them combined.

I got scared sometimes. I’d think, maybe the question I should be asking was “What bad did you do to deserve me?” Or maybe this happiness actually came with misery that I was yet to feel. Worst, “What if I don’t deserve you at all?”

That’s what ran through my head every night when we were about to sleep or when I watched you sleep. I couldn’t figure it out. I was looking for a reason you’re mine.

Not anymore.

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Globe Subscribers, Are You Ready for 4438?

As a proud Globe subscriber myself, I have been really restless since this poster was published on Globe Telecom’s fan page on Facebook. Such a curious thing indeed. The big reveal is on April 4 through a text message from 4438.

I wonder what this 4438 mystery is. The only clue is that “25 milyong Globe, Globe Tattoo, and TM subscribers ang sasaya.” That said, my curiosity just turned into excitement. Can’t wait.

Any idea (or wild guess) on what this 4438 thing could be?

This is the Part Where I Publish Some of Your Letters

I’ve been very unhappy lately. (But don’t worry Shy Guy fans, it’s not lovelife-related, hehe. That aspect of my life is perfect.)

One of the reasons is that my sister was diagnosed with a certain growth in her liver. I’m reminded of the time my dad experienced the same thing until his liver finally took a toll on him. And then, I’m facing a bunch of other problems.

I don’t know. It’s that part of the year again when everything seems to be not going the way I want ‘em to. And whenever I feel down, there’s only one thing that keeps me high — my blog.

I was cleaning up my yoshke.com@gmail.com account, deleting spams and grouping emails together (it’s the obsessive-compulsive in me again), when I found a few emails that really blew all the negative vibes off of me.

You know, when I was just starting out here in the blogosphere five years ago, I never really expected this blog to last this long. I just wanted something on which I would write my heart out — an honest online version of my handwritten journal where I could post what I feel, what I think about, how I live. So receiving emails and Facebook messages from my readers still feel surreal for me.

So since I feel sad right now, allow me to post something self-aggrandizing as I need to reboot my self-esteem.

Here are some mails I have received the past months. (Names changed, though.)

Hey yoshke! I read your blog earlier. I find it good, really. I actually find it great. I’m sending you this mail for no reason all, i just think you need to be commended for your writings. Well, I still cant help but hope that this email is still active.  – Eli

Yoshke: That email is still active Eli! And thank you for your kind words.

Hey Yoshke, I’m your biggest half German half English fan … I hope … anyway … I love your blog . It makes me smile Anyway … Greetings from here in rainy england XD – Henny

Yoshke: Eeeeeeh. I love Germany, I love England. Therefore, I love you so much. Haha.

Hi Yoshke, I’ve been reading your blog. Nice posts. Interesting. Keep writing. I’m your fan now. I always find pleasure checking your blog. hehehe. – JL

Yoshke: Thank you, thank you, thank you.

These emails are from readers in an Islamic country.

Hi Yoshke…

How are you? Let me introduce my self, my name is Bob. I learned about you from your website. Actually, I accidentally saw your website, it’s just because you posted a picture of that hot male model Oli Pettigrew there, and you said sort of what do you think about this boy ? Then I said to my self, yeah, he so gorgeous…, something make me wondering that, “Yoshke is a boy. Why did he put this on his website?”

I really want to be your friend and  if you want it too, because i guess you must be a very great person and have a lot bravery to tell the world that you are gay. I have a lot of friends but i always avoid meeting and hang out with my friends because i worry if they find out my secret.

Yoshke: I can be your friend despite the distance between us. Your situation is sad. I can post gay stuff on my blog because homosexuality in my country is pretty accepted. I do hope you find happiness soon.

Oh my gosh Yoshke, you’re an amazing person from my P.O.V,
I really want to follow your foot steps. I visit your site and i’m so excited when I’m reading your blog. Keep it up!

I hope you’d become my inspiration because i dont have someone i could copy, people around me are all straight and they always demand that I act like one. It’s irritating.

I’m hoping that you would give one or two tips for those gay men who visit your site, and write something that could change how straight people think so they would know how it feels to be different. Thanks. – Buck

Yoshke: That’s a good idea for a blog post. Will surely be writing about it. Thanks for the suggestion.

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A Dose of Reality

First of all, let me ask this: Is it just me or is Safeguard‘s new TV commercial for their promo raffle a little off? It’s starting to make my head itch. I mean, come on, we’re in the middle of El Nino and their commercial seems to be encouraging people to waste water!

I’m trying to find the video on YouTube so I can post the TV ad here. Does anyone have a link to that video?

Anyway, this is the time of the year when I am usually irritated by insensitive TV ads hooked to reality shows. Allow me to talk about them.

AMERICAN IDOL Season 9

Almost every year I hear my friends say “this is the worst season ever.” They said that about Carrie Underwood’s season, also Chris Daughtry’s, and Jordin Sparks’, and David Cook’s. And I was always like, “That’s so not true.” My favorite so far is still Season 5 (Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry) and Season 7 (David Archuleta, David Cook).

What can I say about this year’s American Idol? I have three words: WORST. SEASON. EVER.

Especially after this week’s elimination? Gooosh. If it weren’t for Didi Benami, I’d stop watching this show. I mean, Alex Lambert and Lily Scott got eliminated!!? What’s wrong, America?

<insert frustrated sigh here>

Darn. But my love for Didi Benami is greater than my hatred towards the entire season. So I’m still in.

THE AMAZING RACE Season 16

The latest season of my most-loved reality show has been airing for a month already and I am sooo enjoying it. I honestly am surprised why I still love the show when my favorite team never wins (except for Tyler Denk and James Branaman, they’re so hot, I was rooting for them since Day 1 and I almost threw an Amazing Race party when they won).

Last season, I was so in love with Maria and Tiffany but they quit. Season 10 (All Stars), beauty queens Dustin and Kandice got all my loving but they lost. Season 4, Colin and Christie failed to win the race, either. Still love the show, though.

This season, all my cheers and prayers go to the cowboys Jet and Cord. Smart, smart players, I love it. Here’s hoping they win.

And I’m loving Caite. Her boyfriend Brent is a piece of wood but I love her. Hope they make it to the final 3.

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This is My Birthday Post

Me with my cousins. Second pic: Yep, that’s me, leftmost. Gawd, I’ve just noticed that I was holding a green sausage-shaped balloon. Was that a sign? A foreshadowing? Haha.

Exactly a year ago, Shy Guy took me to Tagaytay. There was dinner by the cliff, a lot of long conversations. a lot of romantic walks, and more. The night before that, my friends threw a marshmallow party for me.

Two years ago, my family had a little dinner party. We invited some relatives and friends and had some fun. But that’s about it. Nothing really special.

Four years ago, I was so sick. But I was able to travel from Batangas to Manila, and meet some of my friends at the university. I planned to watch Pride and Prejudice with Josh, but I backed out the last minute because my body couldn’t withstand my aching joints and terrible fever. When I felt a little better hours later, I decided to just push through with the movie thing but because Josh couldn’t make it that night, Andre joined me instead. We spent the rest of the night at Figaro.

Five years ago, Josh gave me a Kitchie Nadal album, and we had lunch at Oz Cafe — my treat. We stayed there longer than we intended to. That night, I had dinner with Ayn. I can’t remember where, but I know I gave her a treat.

Eight years ago, I saw a movie in a theatre in Lemery with my girlfriend back then, Michi, and some of my friends. Again, I can’t remember what movie we watched that day. But I know I was really, really happy. (It was Pearl Harbor pala.)

Fourteen years ago, my mum threw a very lavish party for me at our place in Batangas. Most of my classmates and teachers were present. It was one of the most expensive parties my mum had ever thrown.

Twenty-four years ago, a midwife was pulling me out of my mother’s womb as my Daddy watched. It was a very bloody day.

Yep! Today I turned 24! Happy Birthday to ME!

Happy 2010!

Before this day ends, let me just greet everyone a Happy New Year! Hope we have a POWERFUL 2010 ahead of us!

It’s my year. I’m a tiger!

2009 has been the best year of my life. Beat that, 2010!

Darna’s Kili-kili Power!

Darna 2005 and Darna 2009 without their costumes and showing their kili-kili. Angel Locsin vs Marian Rivera! Game on!

They’re both hot, aright? But uhm yeah, someone is hotter than the other.
images courtesy of Folded and Hung, and Jag.
special thanks to Shy Guy for the title. haha

Moving in, Grooving

I moved in to a condo unit along EDSA with Shy Guy, Andre, and other friends last Sunday. It was the most intense pseudo-work out I had in years. Transporting appliances and pieces of furniture was so beyond my masculine capacity.

But of course, after everything was set up and decorated, the satisfaction that I got from being in a lovely home a stone’s throw from my office was immeasurable. The view isn’t bad, either. To our left was Ortigas skyline and to our right, Pioneer Street with The Fort in the background.

However, it wasn’t perfect. So not.

For one, the condominium building is along EDSA and our unit is directly facing the violent (and insufferably noisy) tremors of the metropolis. I did not expect EDSA was producing 10 million decibels. Last night was our second night and we still had not gotten any decent sleep.

Every time an ambulance went speeding through the highway, we would wake up. I even wished, “Come on, just let the damn patient die and let us sleep.”

Every time a bus driver hit his horn, we would be sucked out of dreamland and my rage against city buses was multiplied by the number of times they break road rules.

We’d love to close the windows but using the air-conditioner is gonna hurt our pockets. Darn. We better find a way to sleep sound.

…

The night we moved in, after a series of heavy lifting, we had a pig-out session, food courtesy of Andre. I had more than my share. Later that night, Shy Guy was giving me a massage. He started giving my upper back hard pushes. Finally, he worked on my lower back really hard and I farted just like that.

Nabigla ako eh. Sorry naman.

We ended up laughing, talking about farting for the rest of the night.

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Irritants and Guts

Una sa lahat, gusto ko lang isingit na ang hot ni Dennis Trillo sa mga Soda Man pictures nya.

Yun lang. Haha. Hindi sya related sa entry na ‘to. Pero gusto ko lang i-post. Bakit ba?

…

One of the most irritating things in life has to be waking up early so you could come to work on time but you get stuck at some MRT station because the platforms can’t contain passengers anymore, and the train stops even in between stations because the train ahead is also stuck, and you stand beside a guy who keeps chewing — oh no, not just chewing — popping* his gum!

And surprise, surprise, you’re an hour late. Pfffft.

Mantra for the day: Life is good, life is good.

…

But it’s not just this morning. The entire week has not been kind to me, either.

The restroom kept calling me! For four days, my tummy had been tormenting me, urging me to let go of the nasty load I was carrying inside me.

Warning: Graphic language and psychological violence.

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