Another Ghost from the Past

The room assignments for the board exams are out. 

All takers who registered for this year's licensure exam are arranged alphabetically according to their family names, distributed among 3 testing centers in Manila. With heart pounding (because the release of room assignments is basically telling you that the board exams are just 4 days away), I checked my name online. I was quite relieved when I found out that some of my friends (surnames starting in C and D) were assigned in the same floor and building. I wouldn't be that much of a loner during break time. As I went through the names of my classmates and friends, I came across a very familiar name, just 3 rooms away from mine. It was Adrian's.

Adrian is a graduate of a Catholic medical school under the Benedictine order and he was an intern from a private hospital in a posh district in San Juan. I dated him back then. Nothing happened between us, which is probably the reason why he never called back. He kindda made it clear that he's just after his ulterior motives (which is, in his own words, "play" with me).

So the day of the exams came, and I totally forgot about the chances of encountering Adrian again. Well, taking the board exams make you think of other more important stuff,  like PASSING the exam! Before the start of the first test, we were allowed to go to the bathroom. After taking a leak, I checked myself out on the mirror behind someone who is washing his face on the lavatory. When he raised his head, I noticed that he stared at me through the mirror. Well, it's probably normal to check out the person using the mirror behind you, so I just left, forgetting about the incident. 

Then, the second day of exams came, now, people are more relaxed and are more aware of the people around them. Since there is heavy traffic in front of the testing center because of the road construction, my friends and I were dropped off somewhere near and we went on foot for the rest of the way. While we were walking, we passed by the guy who checked me out through the mirror the day before. He's buying cigarette from a takatak boy. And that's when it hit me... Adrian was a smoker. Honestly, I forgot how he looked like, or I guess, he gained a little weight. I just ignored the idea of bumping into him. So what? It wouldn't affect how I would take the exams.

The second day went by like a breeze. While I waited for my friends along the corridor, there he was on the other end. We glanced at each other but I showed no signs of recognition or anything. I quickly turned to another angle pretending that it's one of those accidental glances you make with random people. Finally, my friends came and as we went down the stairs, I saw him in my peripheral vision, following us up to the parking lot. Fortunately, our sundo was early and we were picked up right away. Then, the second week of exams came. I dunno if it's me, or it's just him try to get near me all the time. CR breaks, lunch breaks, in between breaks... papampam much! 

On the last day of exams, I accompanied my friends to a nearby church. I sat on a bleacher at the back as I waited for my friends to say their prayers. I've forgotten how grand Catholic Churches are since I became a Protestant. The last time I went inside one was during my father's burial (because his other family is Catholic) and so I just spent the rest of my time looking around, appreciating the architecture of the all-steel, gothic-inspired church. What caught my attention is a guy praying intently, his head bowed down, eyes tightly shut, his hands almost hugging the crucifix hanging near the entrance of the church. I instantly recognized that he's Adrian. Pati ba naman dito? But slowly, my bitterness turned into compassion as I could see, he might be going through a desperate situation.

Heavy rain was pouring outside the church as Maring started to devastate the metro. Our sundo took a while to come as the streets start to flood. I decided to go out of the church to wait. As I stand under the shade of the church's entrance, a guy stood just a foot away in front of me. Seriously Adrian? There's like 30 square meters of space and you decided to stand in front of me? Like a reflex, I went away, opened my umbrella and just waited under the rain. And yeah, I realized, seriously? There's 30 square meters of space under the shade and I had to stay under the rain...drama much! I guess that sent him the signal that there's no way I'm initiating a conversation. Anyway, from my position, I get to observe him more. Seems like he had no umbrella and he's figuring out a way to get to a ride. Later on, I saw him take out his hanky, put it on his head and skipped in between the puddles of water. I watched him as he made his way out of the gate and fade away from my sight. 

I watched him take the wrath of the weather, as he took the wrath of my bitterness. But then, I also remember the image of a desperate guy hugging a crucifix. Was all that papampam a call for comfort? Perhaps he needs to hear from someone that he's not the only one who finds the exam difficult, or maybe listen to some words of encouragement. Would it have been better if I offered him a ride, or shared my umbrella until he got a ride, or at least I said something nice? I guess, I should have done that, but I was short sighted, overcame by an emotional turmoil from the past. Oh well, for now, he has to endure the wrath of Maring and the wrath of Basti. Anyway, jerks need a little bit of spanking from time to time. I just wish the best for both of us. 

photo from here

My best bud's unintentional coming out

So Grindr has been in existence for quite a while now but I've been living under a rock as well. I installed the application just recently,  and got addicted instantly. Grindr is like a real, tangible gaydar, or as we call it in the medical field, an ancillary procedure that  aids us in confirming what our clinical eye is telling us. I've been hanging out in coffee shops a lot lately to review for the board exams. Being situated in Manila's gay district, any hot or metrosexual guy tinkling with his phone would call for a gaydar check. A few clicks and boom! Someone's just 20 meters away. Well, I don't have any intention of introducing myself to these guys (my profile does not have a face picture and my name is just suggestive of my career) and end up hooking up with them. It's just fun when you find out what they are hiding and there's a fulfillment when you realize that your gaydar is somehow accurate.

FYI, I haven't met anyone personally from this app... well... except for this guy....

One rainy afternoon, while I was studying in a coffee shop, a hot guy came in (Ok, this is not the guy that I met, wish ko lang). So I turned on my portable tangible gaydar, but no one is nearby. Negative. So either this guy is not online, not a Grindr user, or he's just straight. But before I turned it off, there's that small red dot in one of the profiles, meaning, I got a message. It's a nameless, faceless, wordless profile some 500 meters away from me. So he's probably not in the coffee shop. I read the message anyway. He said, "Let's fuck." Thinking that this might be one of those randy airheads, I just ignored the message.

For the following days, I came back to the coffee shop to study and as hot guys came in, I turn on my Grindr. But instead of getting positive results, I get messages from the same nameless profile which I don't reply to. "Hey" "Yo" "What's your number?" "Anong height mo?" Persistent si kuya.

One day, while I was at home studying, I got tired of reading and went online. Nameless profile messaged me again and said, "Sex?" Hmmmm. I got so curious of who this guy is. So I replied, "Got pic?" There was a lag while the picture was downloading so while waiting, I was thinking, "Siguro  mukha tong tambay na malibog." A few seconds later, I was shocked.

"Keith, would it be awkward if I'll tell you that I've known you for a long time?" I told him. "Who are you?" He replied. "It's me, Basti."....

I've known Keith since high school. We somehow look like each other, and act similarly. Silent, gentle and studious. We became classmates in our senior year when he got promoted to the first section. We were really not that close but somehow, we had more interaction with each other when we became classmates.One time, in a boy scout camping, he forgot to bring a blanket. We were in a mountain then in the middle of January, so night temperatures are really low so I willingly shared my blanket with him.... Okay, I kindda have some itsy bitsy crush on him. Nothing happened under the shared blanket, okay.

After senior year, we went to the same UP campus and took different courses in neighboring colleges, so we see each other a lot. I was hoping that we could be roomies, but since he's on a tight budget, he chose a cheaper dormitory. My feelings for him was still there, but didn't flourish since I know that hanggang friends lang kami. And besides, though I find his orientation questionable, he was courting a girl in high school (typical falling-in-love-with-best-bud dilemma). College went by swiftly. Serena (my other college bestfriend mentioned in one of my posts), Keith and I became closer. Unfortunately, Keith failed in some of his subjects and was not able to graduate on time (And being good, supportive friends that we are, Serena and I bullied him for being an irregular student.).

After college, we pursued different paths. Serena worked as a nurse, Keith eventually graduated from college, while I went to medical school. Keith then redeemed himself by topping his licensure exam (yes, number one, which I am very proud of) and got a high-paying job. We became busy with our chosen paths but still managed to see each other when time permits us. The last time I saw Keith was at the start of my internship at PGH. It was his sort of post-birthday treat. After that,  I never saw him again.

Back to the present...
Keith was so embarrassed. To make him feel better, I told him the typical comforting phrases... that's normal...there's nothing to be ashamed of...yaddah yaddah... I told him about my closet life and my past love life, and eventually, he asked me out. It was 9:30 of a rainy morning. He asked me to meet him in a coffee shop at exactly 11 am. Normally, I wouldn't raise a finger to dress up and would just make an excuse why I can't come. But it was Keith! I quickly took a bath and chose a date outfit... button-down polo, brown belt, brown boat shoes, brown leather bag.

He was ordering a cup of coffee when I arrived. He was wearing a polo shirt, brown pants and a pair of thong slippers and was carrying an ordinary back pack. I instantly thought, okay, this is not the date that I am thinking of. We sat in a corner, and he started talking about his life at present, his frustrations with his career and his frustrations with a guy classmate since college. Keith is in a phase where he feels like he's losing his youth, with his parents sick and his siblings going to college, most of his earnings go to his family and little is left for him to enjoy. That's why he wanted to break free sometimes and try new things.

After having coffee, Keith told me that he's glad that he could now tell all of these things to a friend. For him,  I am still Basti, his old high school and college bud, who now, can be trusted with his other secrets. Friend zoned. Period.

As for me, now that I know where Keith stands, I dunno, but my feelings for him kindda went back to life. But what scares me is that when I let him know what I feel, and he doesn't feel the same, it might just create an atmosphere of awkwardness between us and compromise our friendship.


P.S.
I used to tell Harry that he had a lot in common with my high school crush which made me fall in love with him. I was referring to Keith.

When Harry met Basti Part 3

Continued...

...After our first date, Harry and I continued texting. Like what he told me in our date, he wanted us to stay as friends first, and as such, we had to set some rules. First, since we're just friends, no flirting. Second, no romantic dates. Meeting up just  for a conversation is fine, but no romance should be involved. Both of us agreed to the rule.

The texting continued. But once a while, one of us would break the first rule. He told me that he really liked me and he wants this to work out. I told him I feel likewise. Then, he made a confession that on our first date, I was doing something that took his breath away and made his heart beat faster. I asked him what was it but he refused to tell me because I might do it again to make him weak. Later on, he admitted that it was whenever I looked into his eyes which made him feel my sincerity. Well, I was not doing that consciously. I guess, I was just captivated by him during that time.

Then one day, while we were exchanging messages, he told me that he is in a fast food in Malate area where he is reviewing for the board exam. He asked me about my day. I told him that I am craving for pizza since I did not get hold of the free pizza served during the afternoon conference and I am planning to grab some pizza for dinner on my way home. He then told me that he is so tempted to join me. I replied to him and said, "Would it be more tempting for you if I tell you that I am on the same street where you are right now?" He then said that he'll meet me at the pizza place.

Then, Harry came, with his same disappointing fashion sense...a statement shirt, baggy denim pants and slippers. Yet, he is still that adorable and cute guy I knew. He suggested that we take it out and eat it at my place. Hmmmm....I began to wonder...ano kaya ang intention neto? Nevertheless, I agreed and invited him to my place.

At my place, again, we talked then ate the pizza. Later on, we talked about the rules that we set and decided that we should strictly stick to them. But there he was, my adorable Harry, sitting beside me, in an intimate and private place. I could smell his perfume, Bvlgari Soir, from where I am sitting. Then, I finally blurted out, "Can I break a rule?" Then, I touched his hand and started caressing it. He did not object. His hand was warm and soft and I could feel my heart beat faster. Later on, I suddenly pulled his chair closer and then started kissing his soft lips. It seemed like the world stopped and finally, for the first time in my life, I felt the spark that people are talking about. My heart skipped a beat and there was some weird feeling inside me that I can't describe which felt really good. Nothing happened that night. We just made out. 

We only had two rules: 1) no flirting 2) no romantic dates. But I guess, those rules were just too hard to follow and in just one night, we broke both and so, our 10-month long tragic love-story began.

When Harry met Basti Part 2
When Harry met Basti Part 1

photo from here

When Harry met Basti Part 2

Continued....

Finally, I have time to write the continuation of our love story. Thanks to the boredom due to my unexpected two-day vacation. So here it is.

.....Well, fashion-wise, Harry is a turn-off. He also walks differently. His head was slightly bobbing like that dog on the dashboard of a car. But Harry does look good and neat. He sat in front of me and introduced himself. We ordered pasta and chicken and started our conversation. 

As usual, I have an awkward feeling on first dates. I get tongue-tied and then end up not talking. I can't think of a story to tell and most of the time, he was the one talking. I was just looking at his eyes and listening intently. He urged me to speak several times but I really can't think of a good topic that will make a good conversation. I tried talking about my interests like culture, history, documentaries, war movies. Well, it seemed like he does not know anything about what I was saying. He asked me if I play computer games. I said yes, I play the Sims. He had no comment and I guess it was not the answer that he was hoping for because he is more into those action-RPG type games. In the end, we just talked about what's really common between us...medical school. 

We stayed there for hours. But yeah, most of the time, I was silent. We finally realized that we do not share common interests and that the only thing that binds us is medical school. He told me that if we don't share common interests, he is afraid that eventually, we'll become bored of each other. I was starting to think that he didn't like me and that he was starting to make reasons why we can't see each other again. I really felt bad  and all I wanted to do was to get out of that place. He finally told me that we should stay as friends and see if it would work out between us. It's like he wants a trial period, where we could uncover similar interests. He told me that his previous relationship did not work out because of lack of shared common interests and he did not want that to happen between us. I agreed and thought that the future is bleak for us. 

Finally, my sister texted me and invited me over to dinner in a Shabu-shabu restaurant. It was my pass to end   the date. Harry did not know how to go home from the pizza place so I offered to accompany him to his stop. We walked and talked further. I really did not want to see him go yet, thinking that it might be the last, so I suggested that we walk, just to prolong the time we are together. When we reached the street were we were supposed to part ways, I asked him if he is already hungry and invited him to dinner (another prolonging tactic). He agreed and we ate at a fastfood where this time, I was trying hard to talk and impress him. Then, his mom called, telling him to go home. So, I had to finally say good-bye. He asked me if I would still go to the Shabu-shabu restaurant. I said yes and I 'll just walk since it's just a few blocks away. He offered to walk me to the restaurant. I asked him if he would like to go with me and I told him that I would just introduce him as a high school classmate. Harry refused and told me that he is usually socially awkward. So, we finally parted ways....

to be continued....

When Harry met Basti Part 1
When Harry met Basti Part 3

photo from here

Ulterior Motive

After a loooooong time of grieving over a failed relationship, I finally decided to go back to the dating scene. I've been chatting with a guy for several days. His name is Adrian. He is also a post-graduate medical intern from a private hospital near my new place. Our conversation started with questions about my past relationship. Then we also talked about our work and our plans in our career. He wants to be an otorhinolaryngologist. I told him that I could be his anesthesiologist. It was a good conversation that finally led to exchange of numbers.

The following morning, we started texting each other. It was a busy day for me. It started with rounds, followed by my reporting about embryology. After that, I had to go to the operating room to assist in a surgery. After the surgery, I had to attend another rounds to present a case of a patient. Then, my friends  suddenly decided to donate blood. So, with peer pressure, the next thing I knew was there was a large-bore needle stuck in my arm. In between these activities, I managed to reply to him and update him what was happening to me. 

After donating blood, I decided to rest in our call room first before going home ( I have a history of fainting after donating blood). I checked my phone and there was a message from him. He was asking me out. I asked him where he wanted to eat. I suggested a mall near the hospital where I am at. However, I realized that he is coming all the way from Greenhills, so, knowing that my place is just a few minutes away from his hospital, I decided to meet up with him in my condo.

He came early. I asked him to wait for me in a convenience store nearby. He was still wearing his uniform: a short-sleeved polo, white pants and black leather shoes. He was carrying a back-pack and his white coat was hanging on one of his arms. He stands about my height with short clean-cut hair. Like me, he was also wearing eye glasses. He looks neat and presentable. I introduced myself and led him to my unit.

I offered him snacks and soda and we began talking about hospital stuff. Then it shifted to my ex which later on shifted to questions about our sexual position. Then he told me to ask him anything and he will be honest. I asked him if he had been into a relationship before. He said no...but he has "played" with guys before. Then, my sister came. I introduced him as a co-intern. We just decided to eat somewhere else.

We resumed our conversation in a fast food nearby. We had a good chat but my sister texted me, telling me it's time to go home. So, it's time to part ways. He hailed a cab and waved goodbye.

When I was home, he texted me again. He told me that he had a good time but it was "bitin". He admitted that he has ulterior motives. He said that when he was about to make a move, my sister came. He told me that he hesitated to be aggressive at first because it seems like I'm not game for some wild stuff.  In the middle of the conversation, I got so sleepy and dozed off. When I woke up, he sent a message telling me that if I get to know him better, I'll see his darker side. I asked him what's that and told him that I won't judge him. He did not answer my question but told me instead that every person has a dark side. I was really sleepy so I told him that it's time to hit the sack. I told him that I really enjoyed his company. The conversation ended well.

The following morning, I greeted him good morning. There was no reply. I kept on checking my phone from time to time. There was no reply.

The following day, I sent him another message. Still there was no reply. Then, I decided to just stop sending messages. I don't wanna appear as the needy one.

I really hate that feeling when everything seems alright then suddenly, that guy would just disappear out of nowhere without any closure. It now makes me think that he was just after his ulterior motives after all but failed to achieve them; hence, leaving me just like that. Then, later on, it made me realize that perhaps, that that is the dark side that he is talking about. 

photo from here

When Harry met Basti Part 1

I never had a chance to write about how my relationship with Harry started. I promised to do so last year but I got busy with my junior internship, until we broke up. So even before I could write about how the magic began, I was already mourning about how it ended. Now, I just thought that it would be nice to document it before I move on and forget about him. 

It all started with a profile view.

I opened my PR account and checked my visitors. His username is in Latin, derived from Harry Potter. His profile picture is the cover of a Harry Potter book. His other pictures include Daniel Radcliffe and a golden snitch.  His profile says that he is a homeboy, loves puzzles and still dependent at his age (26). With that last detail, my intuition is telling me that he is also a medical student. 

I was not looking for a date or relationship during that time. It was the start of my junior internship. The final year of medical school. I am the "lowest form" of animal in the medical hierarchy. I am a slave. I need to get through this in order to get that MD degree. Sustaining a relationship would be the least of my priorities. I was just looking for friends. Someone to talk to online when I feel down. Someone who could listen to my closet stories. I found him to be a perfect online friend. So I messaged him. 

"Hey. I find your profile interesting. I think we have a lot in common."

After several days, I checked my profile again. He replied and he was also online. I forgot about the details of that conversation but what I could remember is that he told me about his family background and I had him admit that he is also a medical student. He is from a pure Chinese family. He graduated from an exclusive Catholic university and had his post-graduate internship in the hospital of the same university. He was reviewing for the board exams during that time. Then he gave me his nickname. Harry.

We became online friends. There is never a hint of romance in our conversation. We just talk about our life, our ex's and med school. After several days, he finally told me that whenever he opens his account and sees that message box turn red when I leave him a message, his heart beats faster. "Uh-oh..." I told myself. I cannot go into a relationship right now. But I also find him interesting. He never shared his face pictures to me. I never asked for them anyway. Yet, I found myself attracted to him. 

As we were talking about med school and pre-med, I was able to trace a connection between us. I have a classmate in med school who was his close friend back in college. Since that classmate is my facebook friend, I checked out her friends and typed Harry. One profile showed up. He was wearing a yellow biretta and mozzetta, the academic regalia of a Catholic university. He had small pea-sized eyes and fair complexion. I checked out his other pictures. This is definitely Harry.

Harry is cute. Average built. Nice smile. Neat. Someone you could present to your mom. So, apart from the attraction to his character, I was also physically attracted to him. So, when he asked for my number, I forgot about my i-need-to-focus-in-my-junior-internship-principle. I gave it right away and we became text mates.

Now, our conversations were marred by occasional flirting. By this time, we both know that there is something between us; however, we never talked about plans of meeting up. We both agreed that we're not yet ready for dating and it is better that we don't see each other yet. He just asked me to share  my  thoughts and what's going on in my life. Well, being a natural apathetic, I sometimes fail to do that and one time, he complained that he cannot read me and know what's going on in my mind. That scared him. 

"What are you doing tomorrow?" He asked me

"I'll be taking my mock exam in the morning then I'm free after that," I replied

"Okay. Let's meet up." He texted me

I was shocked. It's my first date after a very looooong time. I think I'm not prepared. I asked him why he would like to meet up all of a sudden. 

"Sometimes, I don't know what's going on in your mind. Perhaps, seeing you personally would make me understand you more. If that's what it takes to get to know you, then let's do it. I really like you Basti."

Kinilig naman ako. So, my reply was, "Yes."

He asked me to decide where we would meet up. All I could think of was Harbor Square. It's near, it's by the bay. It's romantic. But I don't wanna go over the top, so I chose a pizza place. I went there directly from my exam. I was still wearing my uniform and carrying my duffel bag. I chose a seat overlooking the bay. Then he came. His hair is shaved and awkwardly  growing. He was wearing a striped polo shirt, a baggy pair of denim pants and a pair of slippers...

To be continued....

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, Gays are from Romeo Part 2

[…This post was not meant to be a series. I am in a coffee shop (supposedly to study) while writing this blog when one of the guys that I’m describing above (a guy from college) entered the shop. We have been chatting in PR lately and he kept on asking me out. I kept on rejecting his offer because I’m not into dating lately (well, actually, for almost a year now). I had to lower my head to hide my face behind the laptop monitor while I scramble to put my things inside my bag. I’m fortunate enough to be in the most isolated corner of the coffee shop where I had the chance to escape through the door leading to the balcony. Yes, it doesn’t only happen in movies. It happens in real life. I told you, PR makes the world smaller.]

Anyway, as I was saying earlier, PR shocks the hell out of you. The tamed ones may be the wildest in bed and the straight acting ones may be the “queerest” by conventional norms. The radiology technician intern that I was telling you never gave me a hint of queerness. He acts like the other straight technicians and calls them “Pre” or “Bro” in the most convincingly virile way. If it weren’t for my accidental discovery of his profile 2 days ago, I wouldn’t know that he’s a bottom and prefers sucking rather than be sucked.

Whenever someone I know visit my profile first, I always send him a message saying, “Huy, nandito ka din pala” (In other words, “Huy, bading ka din pala”); which will be followed by, “Secret lang natin ‘to ha” (What comes out in PR, stays in PR). However, whenever I see an acquaintance’s profile first, I don’t visit his profile with my primary account (which contains face pictures). I log in using my faceless dummy account and use that to creep him out by sending a message saying: “I know you.”

Yes, having a dummy account is fun. Aside from creeping out people, it’s a good tool for stalking. One of the guys in part 1 (my “apprentice” in the school paper and also my current schoolmate in med school), blocked me immediately when he realized that he visited my profile. Apparently, he’s hoping that by blocking my account, he would prevent me from viewing his profile so that I can’t confirm his identity. However, I was able to recognize his thumbnail picture and little did he know that I am tricky enough to have a dummy account which I used to view his profile and confirm that it was indeed him who viewed my profile. Nabuking ang beki.

My stay in PR also helped me gain cyberfriends like Carl and Jay. They have different personalities. Carl is the jologs one and Jay is the hopeless romantic one. Carl and I talk about pop culture, Manila life and local news. Jay talks about his recent dates, romance and relationships. Another interesting thing about my friends: Carl, Jay and my ex-boyfriend have one in common. They all dated a guy named Dan, who also attempted to ask me out. See, PR is such a small planet.

My closest and longest friends in PR are Josh, the cultured one and; Nix, the wild one. Josh and I talk about international relations, politics, Europe, arts, etiquette, and other fine stuff. However, most of the time, we talk about our philosophies and insights about our experiences, which help us get through the daily conflicts of life and explore our personalities better. Meanwhile, Nix and I talk about his recent “sexcapades” in the sauna or gym locker room. But aside from giving me wild accounts, Nix is a big help in my final exams (by the way, he is a doctor, an incoming internal medicine resident). Sometimes, I can’t believe I’m asking for an educated medical advice from a heavenly_ass username.

So, after all, although this planet called Romeo is crammed with horny inhabitants, there are still guys out there with thoughts other than a dick. This planet could offer you fun and satisfaction of your carnal desires, but it could also provide you with friends that will help you cope with the conflicts between our lifestyle and social norms. But yeah, they are rare gems that are hard to find. Most of the time you would probably run into the randy ones.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, Gays are from Romeo Part 1

Scientists should cease the search for life on another planet because I do know a planet teeming with breathing beings. Like the earth, it is predominantly blue; but with some patches of gold and white. The inhabitants engage in an act similar to the earthling’s intercourse but they do not multiply through that. Similar to humans cradled inside placentas, the inhabitants are initially secured inside a closet, and gradually come out from that. Some choose to come out of the closet completely, while some choose to leave their head stuck inside the closet. As the beings emerge into a world of blue, gold and white, they learn to mingle, gain friends, establish a relationship or merely have fun with each other. If you’re a PLU in this country, you probably know what I’m talking about and you’re probably an inhabitant of this world. If at this point, you’re still confused about what I am writing about, and you’re beginning to think that you’re reading an extraterrestrial being’s blog, perhaps this is the point where I should introduce you to this planet called Romeo.

Planet Romeo, or PR is a worldwide social network, instant messaging and dating community for men looking for men. It’s quite popular in this country’s gay community as statistical data (yes that exists) suggest, Philippines has the second highest number of registered users (85507) next to Germany (354458), where it originated.

The popularity of the site in this country makes the gay world smaller. In my 1 year and 3 months of having an account in the site, I have seen profiles of guys I personally know: one of my high school classmates, a co-officer in the high school student council, my former “apprentice” in our high school paper (who is also my schoolmate in med school), 4 guys from my undergraduate college, 2 of my college professors, a nurse from the hospital where I am being trained, a guy from my med school and recently, a radiology technician intern in the department where I am currently rotating. So, in that sense, PR is also a way of outing gays. Well, some of them are expected to be there, as they have been triggering my gaydar ever since, but some made me jump out of my shoes in surprise. I’ve seen guys who are as tame as a lamb in person, but their PR profiles are crying for sex…wild sex. Their profiles are complete with their dick size, preferred position, fetish… and yes… dick pictures.

To be continued...