Dear Bob
Dear Bob,
First of all, I’d like to thank you for the amazingly lovely opportunity to write for Live in the Philippines. It’s been a blast. The one year went by frightfully quickly. To be able to share my voice to a community of expatriates, locals, foreign and domestic tourists, immigrants to and from the country, and backpacking travelers who would otherwise have never stumbled upon what I’d have to say: that was the first and foremost reason why I’d jumped in the pool of writers for your website, why I’d agreed to letting John Grant talk to you about me, after he’d gotten back last January from a Manila trip during which he and I first met.
Unfortunately, the New Year has heralded new career developments that are bound to keep me busier than ever. Friends and colleagues in Manila, all of a sudden, have expressed a need for freelance writers. Offshore clients are requiring me to work longer hours. Family and I are in the midst of discussions on whether or not I should go study again (abroad), while they contemplate and plan a possible move to Tagaytay, that cool, pleasant little city located at the highlands of Cavite. And, if only because I had listed it down as one of my New Year’s resolutions, I might actually try my hand at writing fiction. This barrage of new tasks and new possibilities leave me no choice but to come off of Live in the Philippines. I’d love to not quit, but it wouldn’t be fair to you and the LiP community if I stay on without having as much to offer anymore as before: that is, in terms of time, in terms of content, in terms of useful reading.
But before I sign off, I’d like to let you in on a little secret: did you know that Colm Toibin had written to me a few months back? I mentioned in passing the name of the Irish writer in one of the pieces I had published on LiP, and the next thing I knew Mr. Toibin and I were exchanging E-mails. I was shocked, and then when it sank in, I was honored. So yeah: to be able to share my voice, especially to one of my literary idols – I can never thank you enough for that.
Another little secret I should let you in on is starting to not become little anymore. Up Dharma Down. They’re growing. They’re getting bigger, even if they’re growing bigger only in the Philippine indie music scene. I know from our several-day, eye-opening road trip of Mindanao cities and provinces last May that you are a huge Jimmy Buffett fan; I know that John is a huge Stylistics and Elton John fan; from reading past articles I know that Klaus Doring is into classical music, and that one-time guest columnist Rick Bowden likes Keane and Rufus Wainwright. But I ought to encourage you all to give Up Dharma Down a try. It’s a Manila-based band, accomplished in the underground scene in which I as a witness occasionally take part. They just released their second album, called Bipolar; people say it’s fantastic, and lead singer Armi Millare has certainly got a most beautiful voice, but the auditory experience of this sophomore effort – like their debut album Fragmented – I still can’t bring myself to describe; I only sense the music – “feel” it, if you will. Which is why I love and recommend them, and always say to anyone who would listen to at least be mildly curious about the band. While certain cuts may remind you of Pink Martini or some other stylish European music that radio would deem too unfriendly, Up Dharma Down defies genres in ways that surprise listeners of OPM and international artists alike. It’s a shame that when I went to the Podium shopping mall a few weeks ago to attend one of their promotional gigs, half the audience chose instead to talk amongst themselves while smoking cigarettes and brandishing fat cups of Mocha Frappuccinos.
Because, really, Filipinos – myself not excluded – ought to pay closer attention to fellow countrymen. It’s horrifying to think that so many precious little gems cut and carved and polished here at home go unnoticed. Early in December, while in Davao City, I went to a book launch at the Museo Dabawenyo. I knew absolutely no one. The Davao Writers Guild – of which I automatically became a member after having published an essay in their literary magazine, called Dagmay – officially released Davao in Harvest, a nice glossy compilation of short stories, poems, creative non-fiction, and photographs from the city’s best young writers and artists. I had been sent an invite via E-mail but no one really knew who I was. Nevertheless, I gatecrashed the cocktail party and met people like Ricardo de Ungria, Mac Tiu, Dominique Cimafrance, and Tita Lacambra Ayala – the importance of all of whom I felt embarrassed to not know.
So this year, I will reach out as energetically as possible, and try to understand better what it means, what it really means, to live in the Philippines and acclimatize to a life here that’s outside the realms of familiarity. Of course I will chronicle every step of the way on my little spiral notebook – no matter that I might no longer know who else will be reading.
Thank you again for the chance to write on your site, and take good care always.
Sincerely,
Migs
Hi Migs – Thank you for the writing that you did on the site over the past year. Your articles were interesting to read, and showed LiP readers a different side of the Philippines that some of us may have never known if not for you.
Yes, we had some fun times together too. Your trip around Mindanao with me was interesting, and I enjoyed showing you a part of your country that was very familiar to me, yet unknown to you.
Good luck to you, Migs. I wish you nothing but the very best.
Hi Migs, I am sure you will be missed by many lip readers. Include me too. I am glad that we have met several times here in Davao. I hope, you still find a little bit time for me/us in February in Manila, when, among other things, I have to visit the German Embassy. I wish you all the best and good luck. You are a great writer, an awesome personality and a very good Pinoy friend… .
Migs:
I’ve enjoyed reading your articles this year, and please accept my best wishes for success in your career. being on on professional writer, your articles gave on on different perspective on the site and i truly will miss reading them. Again, best of luck to you.
Best wishes and THANK YOU, Migs. I’ve seen “hints” of Rizal’s style of writing in your columns – most pleasing to the senses and to the intellect. I’ll watch the bookstore shelves for your name on a new book’s dust jacket. I’m sure I’ll see it! :wink”
Again, agyamanak (salamat) [thank you] !
Migs
Like the guys say above, good and interesting writing, content and style
good luck and as i say………….. see ya
Good luck Migs in your new venture. You leave behind a lot of friends . But we all from lip wish you only the best.
Hi Migs,
Your writing content and style will truly be missed on LiP. I hope you find the time in your busy schedule to submit a guest article every once and a while. I believe it will be difficult for us readers to find someone who could match your unique perspective and always eloquent writing.
Good luck with everything in 2009!
Hi Bob: No, thank YOU! Who would’ve thought that a foreigner would be touring me round my own country?
Hi Klaus: Sure, just send me a text message when you’re in Manila this February. See you around!
Hi John M: Thanks for the good wishes. God knows how much I need them!
Hi Paul: How I wish I could publish a book! But what language is “agyamanak”?
Hi Rick: Unfortunately, you haven’t seen the last of me. I’ll keep in touch.
Hi Frank: Thanks for the wishes, too. I did make a lot of friends from LiP!
Hi Martin: Thanks for the kind words. Good luck to you too this 2009!
Migs as it can be sumed up it really has been a pleasure to read your written thoughts that will be missed but hopefully we will have the pleasure to read your thoughts again. good luck to you
wow so hard to say goodbye .
( .I really enjoyed your writings and maybe I will see more in the future one never knows where one goes in life .. have fun Migs ..Phil N Jess
good luck to you and your style of thought. I enjoyed what you had to say and felt the meaning of what you said in both my mind and heart. You are a lot younger than me but a holder of a vast wealth of insight and wisdom. Be true to you thoghts and speak your mind.
I am glad to say that I will not miss you!!
As now we are friends and you visit Davao and I visit Manila I am blessed to have made a friend such as you.
The rest of LIP will miss your articles I am sure but I will keep them upto date on your new jobs and as mentioned above we will see you in print as a number one best seller soon..
Hi Migs – I hate to see you go. We will all miss you my friend. Hope to see you sometimes then.
You take care and good luck to you!
Migs,
Sorry to hear you go. I have enjoys readign your words and enjoyed knowing you. Even though we only ran into each other occasionally I consider you a friend and just hope you will still visit Davao.
Best of luck with your future plans.
Bruce and Elena
Hi Migs,
I will miss your writing style. Your descriptive skills are quite something.
Agyamanak, apparently, is ilocano…means thanks, according to my bisaya gf.??
Hi Tommy: Thanks so much for the kind words, and believe me: I am so glad to have a community of readers like you appreciate my pieces.
Hi Phil N Jess R: Aww, I will miss your comments, too. It is hard to say goodbye, but perhaps we’ll cross our paths one day.
Hi Don M: Thanks for the advice and the encouragement; I shall indeed speak my mind and be true to my thoughts.
Hi John: What do you mean we are good friends!? What do you mean you won’t miss me!? Kidding aside, thanks for talking to Bob and convincing him to give me a chance to write for LiP. I truly enjoyed the stint.
Hi Feyma: I will definitely see you sometime! Thank you to you and Bob for being kind to me, and beyond the area too of writing for LiP.
Hi Bruce: Don’t worry; you might still run into me occasionally! And then you’ll tell me all about Michener and Hawaii. Hi to Elena!
Hi Jim Hannah: Thanks for the kind words, but thanks even more for the translation. I didn’t know that, and I am supposed to be Ilocano, too!
Cheers!
More power to you Migs. Your postings will surely be missed.
Agyamanak is Ilocono – the “preferred” language in “free” Ilocandia !
Thanks for all of your interesting and informative articles Migs. Best of luck to you in your career.