....One morning of of May, I was walking adjacent to the Clock Tower when a stranger drew near to me from behind. Thought I’ve met the actor Billy Zane. A gorgeous-looking hunk clothed in torn European lounge coat. His pretty wristwatch matches the colour of his satin trouser, hand-held hankie & leather retro shoes. From his anxious countenance & messy-outfit, I figured-out: something’s eating this guy – & I’m right. ......I found myself cornered before I said a word (I suspect I was spellbound) & there he narrated his great ordeal. Tears from his piercing brown eyes dropped swiftly to his unblemished cheek and clean-shaven moustache. Can’t help but envy his manly jaws as he boldly talk & whimper. His fretful intonation & trembling arms likewise lay bare his panic & urgency. (picture a horse-jockey here aiming to make it first in the finish line-- Hmmm..too fast, How's someone with LBM speeding up to the “throne”?) . ......From his loose pouch, he took-out a transparent bottle half-filled with yellowish liquid and extended it to me. Damn! A fresh urine. I staggered after I tapped its heat and spot those tiny bubbles merging intimately on the sides. Accordingly, his inflamed kidney has to be treated at the soonest or it will jeopardize his existence. His appalling dilemma mounts up after he was deserted high and dry by a trusted ally from their homeland P_____ (beep.beep) who swayed him from there of a greener pasture here. A happy dream that was - now his most horrific nightmare, he lamented. Destitute, starving, ailing and alone, Whew! Want some more? His visa’s due to expire. Unwaged & penniless, a lending-hand is all he need to renew the same. .....Prior to climax of his compelling & oscar-winning scene and script(?), I grasped the gist of his ill-fated chronicle – the sole purpose why he pleaded next to me. Poignant tale. It moved & melt my, (ehem), compassionate heart, why not. On the contrary, I speculate. I might ensued to be his next object of anxiety since my wallet is evenly miserable that day, and therefore, a wrong prospect - a waste of his time... and incredible buoyancy.  Thought of offering him my taxi fare, but since my fast & furious driver-friend ArCy’s not around, I might beg too. and my prime worry is: gorgeous like me, whose philanthropic idiot will bequeath me with an alms? he, he (joke)......I’m a bit perplexed on what proper emotion to pay-off as he’s becoming more unrelenting (this time picture a pre-need plan Agent from Manila or a Credit Card Exec. in Dubai pushing me to sign a deal). To express my “required” sympathy, I supposed to frown along with him, but his eccentric antics caused me to LOL (? -laugh-out-loud – u : ). (akala ko sa Pinas lang may ganito) I nearly said , “Hey, r u a former bozo?" If you’re sailing under the false color man, you’re only chasing rainbow. How about pawning your mobile? (I'm so mean); or go for a talent contest. With such guts, looks & knocks of yours, you’ll get a good bucks”. (wait. - talent scouting’s not my cup of tea).  Kidding aside, I in fact replied sorrowfully: “SORRY Mr, I just had my remittance sent”. Heeding this, his angelic face then shifted promptly to psychotic bulldog. And before he nibble me with his perfect set of pearly white teeth, (albeit, I’d like asking his brand of toothpaste) I stepped backward….and RAN like a horseless jockey.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our spirits blossom. ~Marcel Proust

While Commuting after a long-day is a nuisance for many, it’s been my self-prescribed stress-buster and glee recipe. So in odd days, I abandon Arsy and his endangered “limou”, walk for a sharing transport ride in Deira’s congested Sallahudin Street and acquaint myself easily with common Pinoys. With the country’s awful climate and maddening cultural scents and sounds, its not a trouble-free-venture tho, but engaging, however. Went there with a broadmind and an open hand that wills to shake with theirs, with ears to eavesdrop head-shaking tales and a heart to grasp those narratives in full-throttle.

Been 2 weeks now since my family here left UAE for  month/s holiday to Manila.  And for days of missing them, my usual catnap however, is now a real man’s sleep.   No screaming babies,  yelling momi, hurried for diaper & milk granny,  hammering doors & high-pitched utensils affect by  my brod in-law’s midnite meal ritual - all like BEEs buzzing habitually to my false slumber through ungodly hours. 

But I was’nt liberated yet from complete clamor as I shared still our managed Sharjah Flat with 3 others. My kudos went to Tita Roxie for mastering the art of catwalking. My sis’ hubby’s version during pre-a.m. are a merry couple next door whose morning i-love-you’s and giggles are  like CICADAs heralding the advent of rain - daily resonance  pressing the owl in me to become an early bird.

Tidings it Brings
By: Seph Ramos
(March Blog)
By May 07, National Election for another time will be held in  the Philippine’s thousand Islands & the fever is on! Thanks to The Filipino Channel’s recurring updates  on latest breaking phenomenon that made us dynamic viewer-critics from here in the Mid-East.  There we are with the “Good News” -
PROGRESS DRIVES: On its advent, sleepy towns are enlivened with sudden mushrooming of beautification, livelihood & infrastructure projects.  At last, soiled streets are lighted & well paved,   walls dented with unpleasant graffiti’s are retouched, weather-beaten daycare centers, waiting sheds, & barangay halls are refurbished  to name a few – all made  possible by incumbent official’s sacrificial thinning of their pork barrels. As a package deal in such monumental endeavors, the heroes title are then stamped  alongside those.
AN INCOME OPPORTUNITY: Attn able in/out-door Tambays: roll-up  your sleeves, grab-in your Barkada’s & jump-fast  to your town assembly for a cash-earning Gimik. Ensure your  Team Captain has had your name registered & yahoo! You’ve got your free snacks, campaign cap or shirts & more interestingly, your mobile as well as your belly can be reloaded for the ff: day. Just be safe. Hired goons with guns might be snooping around so  your  “lagare” idea between two rival Party is not clever. You might lose thy gold, worst   your life (awful).
SPONSORSHIP POTENTIAL: Wishing for a Fairy GodParent to spell magic for your wedding & children offerings? Perhaps, your organizing a beauty pageant, fiesta celeb, sports fete but short with funds? Your having bright offsprings yet can’t further their schooling as you’re from the poorest of the poor class. Congratulations, the right season’s here to win a “willing” sponsor for that crucial event & scholarship. Easy term apply: Forget-Not your Patron’s pseudonym in your troop’s portfolio, streamers, player’s apparel &  in  each secret ballot for upcoming poll.
CLOSED-UP ENTERTAINMENT: From giant reels  & small tube, they came out in open to your crowded neighborhood waving, greeting with their fair hand reaching yours,  - their presence so tender, smile so loving, purpose so caring.  T-L-C from flawless celebrities & legendary TraPo’s?  Ghee, whose common Juan won’t say they’re not heartrobbing, captivating, …& vote winning?  
Natural Attraction
My  index finger have not long-time been stained by Comelec’s indelible ink, yet the political scenarios I grew-up with  lingers. It has daily signs, because. I can equate my experience to the magnificent Mt. Mayon in her ever-increasing smoke that vapors fervently in the sky – an  apparent symbol of a would-be emission. It is breathtaking & entertaining from afar  causing throng of starving & ignorant  on-lookers to flock, feast  & unearth together what it can bid. She’s smart enough to wow her mainstream audience.  Personally, its more of a sorry state to stay nearby. With pain & scars it engraved in my whole-being, I should be wiser & wary now.  I won’t let her charms  mesmerize  & hurt me again.  I’d   rather be away.

I REMEMBER A FRIEND
The First time ever I gaze into your eyes
I mirror a reflection of myself
& the Fear that dwells inside haunts me -
When all of my heart, You hold it through your hands
.
In darkest weather & deepest despair ...I witnessed your care - so rare
like a farmer uprooting a frail tree..Clinging, thrusting it to Earth’s soil firmly
.
You emerge too like a rainbow.. looms over cloud of my dire sorrow
a lovely token of new tomorrow
.
Such stubborn fondness...washes away my dreariness
suddenly, my world’s not gloomy ...as it used to be
.
But we swim against great tide ...It disjoint our spirits aside
akin to a frantic yell ...awaking us from spell of our tale
.
Birds come & go, and human so

when you flew back to your nest ...I remain at rest - why?