adventures in neverland

rather, is seeing each other without the interruption of technology still possible? the advent of modern technology is both a blessing and a curse. we all know its benefits of course -- faster and easier communication anywhere in the world (goodbye very limited telegrams, expensive long distance calls and the very victorian handwritten snail mails) -- but sometimes it could be too much, especially when it intrudes, interrupts, spoils an otherwise cheerful meeting among friends. have you noticed how people in groups would gather on a coffee or dining table not talking at all but simply engrossed in each other's mobile phones and other gadgets with screens. how the only form of communication is to take each other's selfies, download them on instragram or facebook and then ask each other how many "likes" the posts got and who liked them, and what are the comments? idiotic, you'll say. welcome to the new world. yes, i am very old fashioned. i am ambivalen...

the elusive and reclusive yet apologetic  mahatma gandah , who recently published the bestselling book –  & man falls  -- dubbed by the new york times as the “best debut ever”, relented finally on our request for an exclusive interview at an undisclosed location. since the publication of her debut novel two months ago, mahatma gandha had never been seen in public, even at her favourite coffee shop near the famous for its gorgeous sunset manila bay. despite (or maybe because of) her absence, the book has already sold seventeen million copies, making it the fastest selling debut novel in history. anyway, without much ado, here’s mahatma gandah, who popularised the use of “chos” and “no chos this time” on her blog…. what's your perfect day? waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and newly-baked banana chocolate chip bread. then be able to read quietly, without interruption. then write later on when the urge hits...

“just as real events are forgotten, some that never were can be in our memories as if they happened.”  ― g abriel garcí­a márquez , m emories of my melancholy whores . ganoon pala talaga ang ala-ala. parang magnanakaw lamang. bigla na lang susulpot sa yong harapan at nanakawin ang iyong panahon ng pansamantala. ibabalik ka sa isang pahina ng iyong buhay na matagal mo ng ibinaon sa limot. na matagal mo ng pinunit, sinunog at pinalipad sa alapaap ang mga abo nito. upang wala ng bakas. wala ng balikan. (sabay tugtog ng ma-alala mo kaya....) dear ate mahatma gandah.... nag-lilinis ako ng aking silid sa aming lumang bahay ng muling manumbalik ang isang nakalipas na sa pag-aakala ko ay matagal ko ng nakalimutan. matagal-tagal na ring hindi ako umuuwi. kung hindi pa namatay ang tatay ay hindi ko maiisipang lumipad mula sa europa kung saan ako namalagi sa loob ng mahabang panahon patungong pilipinas. kahit medyo takot na akong sumakay ng eroplano (h...

“when the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone, when you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes..”                 - everybody hurts by r.e.m. at forty-two, roy felt like sixteen again, a virgin. not in the physical sense, but in the way he panicked, sweated and almost hyperventilated when dan called asking to meet up with him at their favorite basement bar.  he had no idea how dan looked like twenty years after. all he saw were his pictures on his facebook account. much has changed and yet stayed the same. he was surprised to hear from dan that the basement bar (or bb) was still around. it was a memorable place. they used to hang out there, a dreamy-eyed fresh-out-of-university couple, an odd one, channeling each other’s fears, dreams and paranoia. ranting a...