The Neurotic

The direct-to-video project that I have been a part of... soon to be released (early Nov 2009)! Go buy it! :D

By wanderlust, friends and I decided to hop into my truck and just drive south.

By sudden decision, we ended up in a quaint little town.

By random chance, we found a magical palace.

By magical persuasion, young adult men would line up outside the palace hoping to be asked in.

By a twist of fate, a nice elderly gentleman opened the gates while we walked pass.

By an act of kindness, we were invited into the palace.

By day's end, we realized we have found "and lupa ng mga diwata" (the land of the fairies).

By the end of the trip, I have found a dream to be realized.

Last Saturday, during the triple birthday bash of Migs, Gibbs and AJ, I was enjoying a drink when Joel and AJ suddenly went up to me and said something like "We need the Tony Treatment!" Not having drank a little throughout the night, I think my response was "Hurrr!?!"

"That straight guy? No one thinks he is straight...besides he passed the raspberry test.", Joel continued.

"Teh! We need your powers here.", AJ went on while doing some hand gestures that would imply that I could do some arcane ritual that will make the boy turn.

I think my answer went something like "Pffft."

The night continued on with drink in hand, then I suddenly hear an almost inaudible clap. I look up to see AJ smiling widely and giving me a clap with a bow. Then it hit me. I have actually been talking, for a prolonged period of time, with the straight guy.

I have no delusions of grandeur. Mostly, on my part, it is just fun and games and fantasies (cute straight guy becomes curious just for a night) playing out.... but is there a formula here somewhere? Is there really a way to make a straight guy, curious?

Another drink and we both leave the room to get a cig.

He leaves and I come back to the party. CC comes up to me and says "So I hear they call you Darth Vader now, have you turned him to the dark side of the force?"

Well if there was some way to do it, and if this Tony treatment is real.... I would have to say that it is a god-given talent. >;P

I was hoping to get this post out within a day or two of my previous one but stuff got in the way (not to mention just plain laziness and procrastination). With me leaving for Singapore in a few days, it could be posted next month if I don't do it now. :P


As I mentioned in the previous post, I was made aware of the "Know your Rights" through Vince's blog, Discreet Manila. It was literally just two hours before the said forum that I read his post and hurriedly took my lunch and got dressed to make it in time. Luckily I stayed about 15mins away from the venue (automotive traffic willing).

I arrived and was greeted warmly by an Ang Ladlad organizer. I was showed a seat directly opposite the speaker.I saw about 15 people, obviously, all of them coming from different walks of life. This is going to be an interesting discussion I thought.

A backgrounder on the discussion. About a few years back, Ang Ladlad printed a "pink card". This "pink card" was printed as an action plan for them to help the gay community, often an abused minority, to be aware of their rights. This was done because gay men and women were being wrongfully arrested (mostly, as a way to extort money) by the authorities time and time again. It is also good to note that the money used to print the "pink card" and as well as the forum itself came from the pockets of the Ang Ladlad members. For that we should give them a great heap of thanks and not give them grief as some of the community members do (a whole different topic). The forum basically discussed the details on the pink card.

So what was in this pink card? Read on (I won't replicate the whole pink card information, but rather cite what I thought are the most important parts).

When approached by a law enforcer:

1. Do not panic
2. Be polite and ask "Why?/ Bakit po?"
3. If he/she says you are under arrest/ I'm bringing you in or I'm inviting you to the precinct, ask why and what is the case/ problem (Ano ang kaso?).
4. Get the name of the law enforcer (is he really a law enforcer?)
5. Before leaving with the law enforcer, tell at least several of your friends (if possible take a photo with the law enforcer).
6. Unholstered guns and warning shots are not allowed unless in grave instances.
7. Once your freedom is restricted (in a cell, under arrest etc), you have the following rights: to be assisted by a lawyer, not to sign anything without the assistance of your lawyer etc.

I know it is hard to keep your head when a police officer approaches you that people usually panic and can't think straight. That they automatically think they are guilty of something (I blame that on our Catholic upbringing). Question is are we really guilty of something? So what are the charges that law enforcers usually use when they arrest people in bathhouses, streets, clubs etc. and are we really guilty of anything?

1. Vagrancy
- if you are reading this, you are obviously not a vagrant. You are not a vagrant if you are walking around with a purpose (going to another place for all they care. The parking lot, home, whatever). You are also not a vagrant if you are properly clothed and have money to spend. This is an archaic law, but they still use it.

2. Prostitution under the Revised Penal Code
- Only applies to women. Biogical women. Sexist but true. You're a man? Here's your escape from jail card.

3. Grave Scandal
- As long as its not in public or no one is getting scandalized. Nope. Though this is relative, would kissing another guy be scandalous to some? Sure it is. In fact, I think a grandmother once reported a couple of party-goers in Malate in the early days when she saw two guys kissing and holding hands. Tsk tsk, young-uns these days (sarcasm, in case that wasn't clear enough :D). Proper place, proper time or just don't get caught if public sex if your thing. *shrug*

4. Indecent Shows
-Meeeh, unless you organized said 'indecent shows', then you are scott-free. You can always say its for art's sake. Oh and if its done in a private place, its ok as well. As long as no one can just walk in and watch its fine. So what do you say to the officers in the gay bars if it ever happens that you are in one when it gets raided? Errrr.... I just came for the beer, and just so we are clear, they can't arrest you for drinking over-priced beer. :D

5. Violation on the Anti-trafficking law provision on prostitution
- If its two consenting adults having sex ....there is no prostitution.... there is your loophole right there. Are you guys of legal age? Then it doesn't matter what you two are doing as long as both you agreed. There is no anti-sodomy law in the Philippines. Having sex with another man is not wrong (though some sectors will disagree).

These are the basics....and probably enough to keep you informed to help you stay away from trouble with the law enforcers. There are a lot more things that can be discussed in detail. As I said the forum was pretty interesting that there were a lot of people from different walks of life that have had different experiences and concerns.

So in conclusion, what can the police charge you with if you are caught having sex with another man in a private area? Nothing. Zero. So why do they haul off customers of bathhouses to the precinct? Well, its a living.

Also remember that if they don't charge you with anything and hold you in a cell for more than 12 hours, you can charge them with illegal detention. As I said before, its all fear tactics. They will scare you into giving them some dough to let you go....but you didn't do anything wrong, under the law, in the first place. Why are we so easily scared? Because we don't know any better. Information is power, as part of the exploited minority, let us empower ourselves.

For all of Singapore's modernity...it still has to be dragged kicking and screaming to the 21st century in some aspects. I actually think that the station and the show's producers knew what they were doing and were banking on getting more ratings, I mean sure 15K SGD is a lot of money for a person, but not for a network. ( Read the whole article )

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On other things...check this video out. Made me a little teary-eyed.

I went to watch this movie with the Bakla Review. This movie is, for me, a great way to start the year for indie films. If you want a review go read the Bakla Review's blog. He, in fact, did a great job of it, much better than I can hope to do. What I want to say is that I totally related to "Enzo" in the movie. Enzo is the boy who grew up with the unspoken passion (sikil) for his best friend. He gave his all to support his best friend, Andong. Call him a martyr or an idiot. I was that guy before.

I sighed when Enzo picked up his Andong's girl to help him rendezvous with each other. I felt my heart grow heavy when I saw Enzo wait outside in the cold pavement while the love of his life made love with his girl. I felt a tinge when Enzo picked up his friend from the dumps, after his girl left him, to help him live a better life, only to be left. It felt surreal when the girl tells Enzo that she can never have Andong all to herself as Andong needs Enzo, because Enzo is his strength.

This image is all too real and really close to home for me. The awkward and pregnant silence could just kill you.

While at the gym, drinking a cup of coffee and waiting for my friend's class to start, I noticed that a couple of instructors were busy setting up for a GX (group exercise) exhibition. One of them, even with his back to me, exuded a very sexy aura. It was almost palpable. As luck would have it, I was seated where the instructor who caught my eye, positioned himself right in front of me. His butt just about an arms length away. The song started to pipe, "It's raining men". Apt I thought. Both the instructors present were, to be fair, pretty fit and buff. The one that caught my eye though knew how to move that booty. Much more impressive was the fact that he was still able to keep his masculine aura inspite of the dance steps. He looked vaguely familiar..... The next song started, "Boys do fall in love". I smirked to myself all the while enjoying the view. Who chooses these songs anyways? Two more songs and they were done, though I was still trying to figure out where I knew the guy from. It dawned on me just before I was about done with my workout.

Paul. Paul Guesande. The exotic dancer who, in his prime, revolutionized the gay bar exotic dancer scene way back just as I left for Singapore. Guess who will be attending dance classes from now on. :P

I know, I know. This has been out a couple of days if you checked out the rest of the blogs of those who were at the gathering.... Just felt like spreading out the episodes. Anyway, much applause to McVie (http://mcvie5.blogspot.com/) for the great (and fast!) production of these podcasts! Migs of (http://www.manilagayguy.com) who is hosting the podcast, Corporate Closet (http://www.corpcloset.blogspot.com) for inviting all of us to his pad and to the rest of the gang for being such great company. Until the next time!

I hope, for anyone who is hearing this for the first time (though I kind of doubt it) that you guys enjoyed listening to it as much as I had enjoyed being a part of it (hey, I just had to go there and get drunk and string some words together....what's not to enjoy right?)

Download this episode - PART 3 (right click and save)