adventures in neverland

this week, the philippines hosted two mega international events -- the asean finance ministers' investor seminar held for  a day at the manila pen and capped by a night of fun at fairmont hotel, then the three-day world economic forum at the shangri-la hotel and other venues at the country's wall street of sorts. the country hosted both events at a time when the philippine economy is experiencing a boom ( last year, philippine gdp growth was the fastest in the asean, and the second best in asia), its credit ratings upgraded into investment status by the three major debt raters last year (with standard & poor's even raising it further to one notch above the lowest investment grade level most recently). at the same time, there's undoubtedly the rising tension with china over the disputed south china sea, and the political squabbles in neighboring thailand, one of the founders of the asean sub-regional group some forty-seven years ago. another asean member, vietnam...

finally, i found a perfect spot to hang out in manille all year round -- the harbor square. it's right across the cultural center of the philippines. during summer, it is cool and light. the manila bay nearby is sparkling like a thousand pearls, its blueness calming. in december, it is even colder and the sea calmer. it's even lovelier during the rainy days and nights. more romantic. with the sea and the sky all grey and forlorn, as though they were abandoned by their lovers.  yes, there's nothing more romantic than be reminded of a love affair gone awry. seagulls and other birds have made it their home, resting on top of the boats, on ropes, while waiting for their prey, the school of tiny fish underneath the sea. too, the boats decked beside the concrete walls are post card perfect, adding to the miami like ambiance. in fact, a tourist once commented that the view reminds him of his city in florida. but more than anything else, it's the breathtaking sunset t...

how do you know when something is about to end? are there signs that we fail to recognize? or have we been playing blind all along? we were in the middle of a dinner when suddenly he complained loudly that the food tasted awful, the grilled salmon was not fresh at all and that the steamed rice was no longer hot when they served it on our table. other diners looked at us, alarmed, while the head waiter approached us quickly. calmly. "what's the problem sir?" "the fish that you served us is no longer fresh. the dish is too salty," he said, glaring at the waiter who looked smart in a white long sleeve shirt, tie, dark pants and neatly combed hair. in contrast, he was in a round-neck blue shirt with a big heart printed on it, tight-fitting black jeans and white converse. his hair was messy, as if a mouse and a cat had played on top of his head. "i am sorry for that sir," the head waiter said in a whisper. "we will r...

he was holding his cigarette the way  you do: tucked safely between the thumb, the middle and index fingers. as if scared that a strong wind might blow it away from you; or some stranger from out of nowhere might snatch it from you. i guess you were like that on everything that  you thought you owned. you wanted them secured, fastened close to you. i used to wonder what made you behave that way. so insecure, so afraid that someone you love might leave you or be taken away from you. it took me years to understand it. to understand you. but i am digressing. let me go back to my story. &&&&& he was a stranger. a nameless guy with movie star looks. i don't know why i have always been drawn to guys that reminded me of you -- smooth, cappuccino skin perfectly baked under the sun, neatly combed short but thick black hair, sad dark brown eyes, long, lean limbs, a confident but elusive smile, and soft, dreamy voice....