Off to Manila
This week I have left my home in the Mindanao Island of Davao and made my way back to the Philippine capital of Manila, which I have visited many, many times before. But this time it’s a special trip.
This trip is to mark a very special anniversary of meeting recent LIP writer Migs Bassig from Quezon City.
The anniversary? Well, as readers know from my description above, I am a gay guy now living in the Philippines, and through a set of circumstances and chance I met up with Migs in Manila a year ago and we hit it off straight away. Now he spends his time traveling between Davao and Manila in an attempt to keep going his freelance jobs as well as his relationship with this strange white guy called John.
Fair to say that although I am open about my situation , but it was not possible for Migs to be able to be open because of his circumstances, which have now changed and he feels he can now be honest with everyone.
So to those who guessed, well done. To those who may have been misled apologies, but “coming out” to a vast audience before friends are told would have been wrong.
So we landed in the brand new Terminal 3 in Manila and got a taxi to Quezon City, where I had never been before (as I usually stay in Ermita or near Makati), and we made our way to a medium-budget-style hotel which was surprisingly good. In fact it had free WiFi, great atmosphere, and a good bar-cum-restaurant. Only problem was when it came to the bed, for it was a let down, feeling like wood. Lucky for me, the one pillow supplied us felt like charcoal, so the two complemented each other.
Still feeling the man flu, I dosed myself up with medicine to be taken out for a meal at a surprise venue.
I ended up at a really impressive Mediterranean restaurant called Katre in Quezon City, which produced superb quality food at very reasonable prices; it also had a romantic ambience you would expect to get in France or UK. The owner-chef Roxs Cailao should take a bow for such quality. And Migs and myself were the last people out of the restaurant and we were very contented indeed.
The next day I went to the shopping mall called Trinoma/ LANDMARK again in Quezon City, which I think is probably one of the best all-around malls I have ever been in. It’s on three levels, but covers a mass of area with cinemas and restaurants and waterfalls throughout. I urge you to walk around it.
In the evening we walked past the PINOY BIG BROTHER house, where ABS-CBN makes the live reality TV show. I had to have my picture taken. Tourist or what?
After a long walk we heard a song from a bar being sung by such a nice voice that we decided to have “one for the road”. We met the co-owner/ coordinator of the 229 bar, singer Ariel Herrera, who has a voice of velvet, and who entertained us to records by such artists as Cat Stevens and The Eagles with such professionalism that I felt guilty for only buying beers, entertained to such high standard.
Migs joined Ariel on stage for “Desperado” – a treat to all. After the impromptu jam session Ariel joined us in a long conversation. But we had to soon make our exit because of an early morning start the next day. We promised to be back and walked through the streets of Quezon City with I discovered had many, many great places to visit but at prices that are more acceptable than that at Malate or perhaps Makati.
So far Migs and myself have had such a great time, and tomorrow we are off to LA UNION. I am dreading the six and a half hour bus ride.
John and Migs….I am so happy that you have found each other!!!!!
Enjoy each other and grab every bit of happiness you can …as life is sooo short
I will look forward to hearing about all of your travels and adventures..
I do so wish the two of you the very best.
Hi John!
Sounds like you guys are having a great time. One of the places I always enjoy is the Baclaran market in Passay City. Marie has promised to take me to a comedy club in Manila that is staffed by little people or midgets, whichever is PC. Stay safe and have fun.
hey
good luck to the both of you , hope to hear more too …. Phil N jess
Hi John & Migs,
Take a lot of pictures once you’re in La Union… I would love to visit that place someday…. wish you guys nothing but happiness…. take care…
Mwah
Hi John and Migs,
Sounds like you two are meant for each other. I am happy for both of you. Please keep us posted on your travels.
Cheers!
John and Migs: we wish you both all the happiness life has to offer together. Take care of yourselves.
Hi John & Migs, Congratulations. I loved reading your individual columns. Perhaps now you you will write a column together.
As for that 6-1/2 hour ride to La Union, why not take the Asian Spirit plane from Manilla to San Fernando? Only one hour and not too expensive.
Hi John and Migs, you are really great guys. I am really glad to know you guys. See you soon, here in Davao – and in Manila. Take care of yourselves… .
Tyleen
To be honest the one thing in Asian culture that we can all learn from is the ability not to be so ageist, and that I have really tried to understand before embarking on this road with Migs.
Tom
PC thats me and Migs lol
Phil and Jess
Now we are bouth out it will be easier to write more.
Ann
Took some video hope to have that out soon. Watch this space.
Henry
We both have agreed to broaden our horizons this year so keep reading.
John
Thanks my friend
John in Austria
John we did not know about it and when we were in San Fernado we visited the airport to us it looked non operational.
Klaus
See you later this week WHITE WINE PLEASE LOL
John: Tom is referring to the Hobbit House, which I think is right along A. Mabini in Ermita.
To everyone who has commented so far: It’s been an amazing year! Being a writer who had done nothing in life except write, write, write, the past year proved to be The Year of Other Things. But John is a great guy – more than he lets on. Ha! Anyway, thanks for your good wishes.
Hello John and Migs,
Very nice article and Id like to extend my well wishes to both of you and hope you both find a prosperous 2009 in your careers as well as a year full of romantic bliss in your relationship.
Sincerely,
Justin
John and Migs. Yes, having found each other makes it more meaningful. heartfelt congratulations and all best wishes to you both. At least here in the Philippines, people in general are much more acceptable. – Jaime
Romantic bliss? John, what do you think about that? You should make a reservation at another restaurant for a candlelit dinner with me – a trio of Spanish guitar on the background.
well, i’m one guy here who got surprised by this bit of news. you sly devils.
congrats on the anniversary, dynamic duo. i haven’t met you two personally, but i can see that both of you are good guys. maybe someday we can hang out.
hey john, if you can, i’d love to read about your take to la union. i’m a bit of a travel junkie & I’ve never been there.
Hi John and Migs,
Congratulations to both of you! I hope you have time to give a joint account of your travels in La Union and take some pictures of the sights and scenery for the rest of us.
Happy travels!
It will be great to hear of your travels to various places and perhaps some excellent video’s as in the past.
I will not speak my mind on the opening of the closet door.
Neal
Videos out soon
Martin
Its taken me 8 months but I have managed to get a new battery for my video camera…….at last
Macky
I am glad we can still surprise you lol
Jamie
Thanks very much
Justin
Thank you too for your kind words
Hi John and Migs, Happy Anniversary! Hoping for the happiness for both of you in the coming years. It was nice to meet you Migs briefly at the NAIA domestic terminal last December. Hope to meet u guys in the near future here in Davao.
Hi John,
Congratulations to you and Migs on your First Anniversary.
I had written to Migs last year when he posted about being in love and kinda scared at the prospect, encouraging him to take a chance on love. I was so sure it was you he had in mind. You all spent so much time together, there didn’t seem to be time for anyone else…….and then silence all these months. How joyous that you all found each other. Serendipity, indeed. Life really is short. Enjoy. And please keep us up-to-date on all your adventures.
Wishing you the very best life has to offer.
Karen
Teng/Karen
We never know where life will take us but I can assure you we are very happy.
I’ve been scouring this web magazine for months and I’m pretty surprised of what I’ve read here: foreign expatriates writing about Philippines! That puts me my writing skills to shame for my inability to write about the gems of my country but my blog has shifted and this site motivated me to think of new objectives in exposing more the Philippines by first hand experience.
Back to the gist, this article surprised me more of two men in a relationship though it’s not fully recognized here in the Philippines. Keep that strong. We’re pretty much on the same boat except I’m still alone sailing mine to same direction. ^_^
I’d like to congratulate you both John and Migs for your wonderful relationship and for sharing to us. Glad that you had nice trips in Manila. Happy anniversary!
Teng! How are you? If you’re in Davao, we should meet for a cup of coffee or something. I’m scheduled to fly there next week.
Migs, I’m fine thanks. That’s great. I’ll drop u a line for my contact info. C U later!
Hi, John!
I know you and Migs will be happy together, and that’s what really matters, right?! I am glad you enjoyed your last visit to QC. It’s one of the few cities, along with Davao City and Cebu Cty, that has made significant progress in recent years, if you ask me. QC Mayor Belmonte is actually one of the most respected and outstanding mayors in the country.
Anyway, have fun you two! Enjoy the rest of the Philippines!
God Bless!