Whapak!

My Bebe is coming over to spend the weekend here in Manila.

This is our arrangement. Sad but true. We live with what we have. Long distance relationship is something new to both of us and we are trying things us.

It's difficult to keep a gay relationship in this world as it is. It is even so much harder with the fact that he lives in the island and I here in the big city.

We try to see each other at least once a month, sometimes if we have the time and resources, twice. Good thing that I was sent to the US a couple of months ago on Business Class and it bumped my Miles into the orbit. We can now use it so he can frequent me in Manila.

Thing is, I am not ready to return to the island. There are just so many things that scares me. First, and most trivial, I have gained weight. Yeah I know, but thing is, I don't want people telling me that I have gained weight first time they see me. That is a good 30 lbs man. So as a measure, I already went back to the gym and tried new workout schemes, I am into boxing.

Seriously, I have gained a new perspective on how difficult what Manny Pacquiao does. And we all think it's easy, apparently, he makes it look easy. But damn, on my third round on that ring, I thought I was seriously going to die! Hahahah! That's what you get when you abandon working out and smoke yourself to death!

Anyway, it's been two days since I have enrolled and I must say that I am immensely enjoying it. I will post more of my boxing experiment and the weight loss program that I am. But for now, let me enjoy a different fight!

Let the real battle begin!!!

HIV and Call Centers

Let me give you my two cents worth regarding the HIV in the Call Center Industry.

As you might have surmised based on my opening statement, I work in a call center. A big one at that. I have been with the company since it's started operations here in the Philippines. As a brief background, I started as an call-taker, an agent for those who are not familiar with the call center lingo. Let's just say that I handle more complex situations today.

Anyway. Forgive me if I feel really, really bad about the unfair portrayal of the people that works for the call center industry. Based on the reports, it makes us look as if we go on wild orgies and have sex like dogs when we can. They even gave numbers out based on their "study".

In defense to this, I am writing my personal dispute of this allegations, blow by blow:

1. Call Center workers have higher risks of acquiring HIV because of the work schedule. Huh? I don't get this. Yes, we work at nights, and I was thinking that since our lives mostly happen in the morning, we don't really get much time to socialize and look for sex, right? I must admit though that the proximity with each other and the fact that our schedules keep us from having a "regular" social life increases the possibility of hooking up with another call center employee, it doesn't mean that we all go around actively seeking partners at work. Besides, we don't have the monopoly of that. It happens in all industries.

2. The younger demographics are more open about their sexuality. I would agree to this. The average age of the call center employees are 21-25 years old. Most of the agents are fresh graduates that are just hungry and excited to be part of the work and most of then really would not take the job seriously unless they really need it. But to imply that one of the reasons why there is an increase in cases of HIV in call centers is because of the age is unfair. I mean, across the board, if you look into statistics not just here in the Philippines, the same age group that I mentioned above also leads in the number of newly-identified HIV positive patients.

3. We don't spend much time with our families hence the increase in the cases of HIV. This is just infuriating for me. This statement just implies that just because we are employed by call centers, we don't have values anymore. On the contrary, working for an American company actually instilled so much of my work ethics compared to the time that I have worked for a huge Pinoy owned retail company.

I know a lot of people, parents, sons and daughters that tries their darnest to establish a sense of normalcy in their lives considering our work schedules. Even to the point of not sleeping for 24-hours straight because they need to attend a PTA meeting. This is just a testimony of what kind of people works for this industry.

In closing, I just want to say that whatever that "study" was implying, it is unfair to those who are working in call centers. We are not sex starved maniacs like how it is being portrayed. We are human, therefore, we have needs, just like everyone else. Problem is, we are highlighted because of our small population yet huge economic impact. And that is just sad considering how many families are being feed and kids sent to school by the same industry that they are mocking. Crab mentality at it's finest. Really.

The Blues

One of the downside of living alone is that when the blues get you, it gets you bad.

Just like today.

I used to have Saturday night life. Not the wild ones where you end up smashing your car and crawling all the way home, but I'd say that I'd have some pretty wacky nights. You see, before I went back to the big city, I used to be stationed in a quieter yet equally dynamic island. I am not gonna totally reveal where that is, but one thing is for sure, we did not lack night life.

Oh yeah. Every Saturday, and even Sundays, I will end the day (or more like the following day) either smashed or totally wasted. We would start the day with a quiet dinner either at home or some restaurant that we have not tried before. And then that would be followed by movies and then we'll meet up with friends and just party the night away.

And when I say we, I am referring to my boyfriend. My partner for two years. I left him in the island. This huge career opportunity came by and I just cannot pass it up. I know that it entails us being separate by miles and miles of sea, but that's the choice we need to make. I need to move back to the big city. I'd want to talk about how the two years we've been together has been a helluva a ride, but that would take a lot of webspace, so I'll probably tell it by bits and pieces. Maybe I'll make this a serial blog. Someday, I'll be able to write all that we have been through and still going through together.

But today, let me just sulk in the blues. I miss him so bad it hurts. I know that melancholia is a good things at times but not suggested when you are alone.

Anyway, I hope his plans will push through. I cannot wait for April to be here.

ICU

"Mga 50/50 ang chances."

So that was his reply. More appropriate said in terminal cases where the patient has slim to none chances of survival, not when trying to woo someone. We have been involve in a flurry of text messages and phone calls for the last three months and this is what he have for me. 50/50 chances.
Putcha! Ang hirap naman pala manligaw sa kanya eh.

For the longest time that we have been in this limbo, this is the first time that he actually gave me a figure. Before, when I used to asked him, his usual response will be, "it's too early'" or "I need guidance from God." Seriously? I mean, I know that you are still confused whether you want to join the bandwagon or what, but answer me with that? Come on!

Minsan, mas mahirap manligaw ng lalake.

Knock Knock

I used to keep a blog years back. But I got too busy with my life and then I neglected writing all together. Not that I am not busy now, on the contrary, I am loaded with work more than ever.

But I find writing to be a great release. Cathartic if you want to be existential about it. I have always wanted to write, maybe not the sort that earns a living out of it, but just to write. Just to experience the simple joys of writing.

This is my second attempt into blogging. I have been a lurker in the blogsphere but never really got the chance to create my own. Maybe this is the time.

Keep reading....