Manila Feast of the Nazarene, the air was cool and crisp. It was the second week of January 1997. Thousands of people gathered on the street during the parade of the Black Nazarene. Amidst the coolness of the weather, everybody’s sweating due to the heavy crowd. Some are praying, crying, shouting, and some even fainted. On the second floor in one of the houses in a small alley in San Andres, two people were getting intimate, Sabel, 38, and Michael is 23 years old. Aunt Sabel, as Michael fondly calls her when he was young was his mom’s friend. She owns a small store while her husband, Tony, works in the Municipal Hall of Metro Manila as a security guard. She has two teenage daughters. Overcame with passion, they were oblivious to their surroundings. Suddenly, Oliver, Mike’s childhood friend shouted that Sabel’s husband is coming. Micheal Jumped out of the window to find Tony face to face. He was holding a baton and was about strike Mike in the head when h
Michael BenedictoI went to Sandoval around 8:30 am just like we agreed. He told me he is a morning person and he is always busy. Nevertheless, he ushered me into his clean and modest house with lots of plants, some vegetables like eggplants and bitter gourd which hangs on its vine. He has some fruit trees like Jackfruit, some mango trees, and caimito. I was amazed because he has lots of orchids and different kinds of flowers. He even has a rose. He said it was his favorite flower, and that each flower in his garden represents a woman in his life. So I asked, how many flowers do you have? He said 36. But my favorite is my first flower- Jasmin. I asked him why. He laughed a bit. My being inquisitive reminded him of a woman he calls his rose, his 36th. He offered me coffee and hot pandesal or salt bread which at first I declined. Due to his insistence, I accepted his offer and I have to admit, I enjoyed it. He said that he baked the pandesal himself. Eleven years ago, the g
It was 1994 I felt ecstatic because, for the first time, I had a real job. I felt important and proud. I was then twenty years old and my mother cooked Pancit Malabon and my favorite Kare Kare. My mother was the best cook in the whole town of Binondo and people often asked her to cook for them during parties. My oldest sister inherited this talent. After rigid two months of training, we were sieved and I belonged to the ten lucky ones who got the position in
December of 1996 was the most fantastic month of my life. For the first time, I felt complete. I learned how to dream. I have decided to enroll in a computer school because I wanted to learn how to use Microsoft office. I wanted to learn about the internet because at that time it was the rave. They said it was just dial-up but I still can’t get the grasp. I have learned to use Lotus 123 because that is what most people in the office use. It was not easy because I have to memorize a lot of keys and commands. Then I learned about MS Word, then Excel. I didn’t know why I had to study it back then but I just wanted to learn. I wanted to know what Martina had been doing and her work. When I entered the academy along C.M. Recto street, the first music which greeted me was the song of Edie Brickell, Good times. It was the soundtrack of the ancient Microsoft back then besides the dancing baby. It was drizzling outside and I have an umbrella with me and hot coffee, black with suga
I used to call her aunt Katerina when I was young. My mother didn’t like her because she says her morality is questionable. Oliver’s mom didn’t like her either but her husband told her that she’s their youngest sister and he has to take care of her. Besides, she doesn’t stay in their place all the time. She has three children. Her two eldest children were from another man and the youngest was from another man. Her oldest
Cheska didn’t notice the time. It was already 6 p.m. and their company driver messaged her that he is on his way. She already had lunch with Uncle Mike as she fondly calls him. It was already her third visit and by Saturday which is the following day she has to report to the office for her weekly submission. He cooked Menudo for lunch and while eating, they talked light stuff like their families. He told her about her 3 nieces
The whole Sunday I was trying to compile everything that I had gathered from my conversation with Mr. Benedicto. I was still at the beginning of the story but I’m already anxious about what comes next. My mind was like a windmill that weekend and I have to drop everything just to think. Michael Benedicto, who are you? What was your effect on women in your time? Looking at him now he seemed to be so mild, ple
Katerina was an extraordinary woman. She was seventeen years older than me and has more experience in sex. She was my mentor. She taught me various unimaginable positions, doing it non-stop for hours. She was a wild woman and she drives me crazy. Our relationship was just lust and we do it anywhere in particular. We’ve done it in every corner of her house. We’ve even done it while her daughter was slee
The more that I stayed away from them, the more circumstances seemed to draw us near. It was Saturday, February 1st, 2003, the Lunar New Year. You see, Binondo has been the center of Filipino- the Chinese community for centuries. While my mom was praying insideFo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, my sister kept on insisting that we buy some “Tikoy” or Nian Gao to Mandarin or better known as Chinese mooncake. It is a sticky cake and they believed that if one eats this cake during the Lunar New Year, your family will always be together and will prosper. Family ties are very important for Filipino-Chinese people.As a tradition, we participated in the Eight Lucky Rituals which comprised of lighting the first incense, the ringing of the gong, and so forth and so on. My sisters and mom greatly enjoyed them but since I converted to Christianity, they were more like customary observance for me.Me, my sisters Agnes, Esther, Gina, and Mia were watching the Dragon Dance near Ongpin stre
I didn't meet my boss that morning because he had an urgent meeting in Calcutta, India. Nevertheless, I sent my previous report since it is already due for editing. I went to Uncle Mike's place and he greeted me with a happy smile this morning. He seemed to be having a good day. "My daughter Mia is coming home. Her company assigned her for remote work so she will be staying with me." Uncle Mike beamed with happiness. "That's great, uncle. You won't be alone here anymore." "I am not really alone. My neighbors are all kind and some of my relatives live near here." His face brightened up he looks 10 years younger than his age. Cheska saw that and she suddenly felt admiration for Mike. He's ...very...handsome. She shrugged the thought from her mind. He continued his story. My almost a year's relationship with Lorna at that time did not last long. Her husband was about to go home and she has to prepare herself for his coming. Besides her children are growing f
Listening to Uncle Mike’s revelations appalled Cheska a lot. One cannot believe it was a narration from a person whom everybody loves in this area. He has the kindest face she had ever seen and somehow, familiar. She went home late that evening, she was engrossed in his story. Deep inside her, she wanted to stay longer but she was also thinking of Uncle Mike’s condition. He easily gets dizzy and tired. “I had this health issue since I fainted that day, haha.” He jokingly tells her. “Uncle I want to take you to a doctor to check your health. That’s not a good sign.” She’s genuinely worried about him. Uncle Mike is like a father to her and despite his turbulent past, he is a good man. He looked at her and smiled, “I wish you were my daughter.” The whole Sunday Cheska just stayed home. It rained the whole day and her mom sent her messages. Nothing in particular just asking her how she’s doing and if she is eating well. She assured her she was okay. She looked at her dad’s p
The year 1999 before the millennium hit, the economywas doing well and inflation was no longer felt.Katerina was nine months pregnant at
Rosemarie likes to be entered from behind and all fours. She never faces me whenever we make love. She said that looking at your partner seems personal. Rosemarie Guevarra, even at the age of 50, still got the
December 21, 1996, Saturday. It was our Christmas party. It was a gratifying evening and despite the economic crisis that our country was facing at that time, our company was generous enough to give their employees a big party and lots of gifts. It was the most joyous event that we’ve had. I was talking to my colleagues when Martina joined us. She’s wearing a red dress that highlighted her silky smooth skin and
Katerina was an extraordinary woman. She was seventeen years older than me and has more experience in sex. She was my mentor. She taught me various unimaginable positions, doing it non-stop for hours. She was a wild woman and she drives me crazy. Our relationship was just lust and we do it anywhere in particular. We’ve done it in every corner of her house. We’ve even done it while her daughter was slee
The whole Sunday I was trying to compile everything that I had gathered from my conversation with Mr. Benedicto. I was still at the beginning of the story but I’m already anxious about what comes next. My mind was like a windmill that weekend and I have to drop everything just to think. Michael Benedicto, who are you? What was your effect on women in your time? Looking at him now he seemed to be so mild, ple
Cheska didn’t notice the time. It was already 6 p.m. and their company driver messaged her that he is on his way. She already had lunch with Uncle Mike as she fondly calls him. It was already her third visit and by Saturday which is the following day she has to report to the office for her weekly submission. He cooked Menudo for lunch and while eating, they talked light stuff like their families. He told her about her 3 nieces