Documente Academic
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Blog Halo-halo
Printed May 2010
Copyright 2010 by Thaddeus C. Hinunangan
FOREWORD
BLOG HALO-HALO*
II. “ICE”
Chilling with Stories from Beyond the
School Gates
Episode 1: Appearances
Episode 2: The Tale of the Muscle Shirt, Polyester Shorts, and
Yellow Speedos
Episode 3: The Naked Chef Meets Fear Factor
Episode 4: An Extraordinarily Ordinary Story
Episode 5: Fetish
Episode 6: Crush-ed
Episode 7: Compromising Postitions
*kakaibang trip!
IV. “SUGAR”
Sweet Stories from the Best Blogs
Postscript: The Big Three-Oh
BONUS STORIES:
The Long Weekend
(From City Girl gets Trapped in the Boondocks and Other Stories)
Made in Saudi, Made in America
(From The Private Exhibitionist)
“Vital signs and FHR (fetal heart rate) now!” Barked our
preceptor.
“Crowning!”
13
The midwife and our clinical preceptor were
instructing the mother how to push. Then the midwife did
something that would take weeks to disappear from my
mind: she took a sharp Mayo scissor and cut the woman’s
perineum to widen the birth canal. The woman screamed
in pain. Blood oozed.
“BP?”
“130/80mmHg.”
Episode 3:
Rush, rush
12:01 PM. I wrapped up an hour of polishing my
article for Jurisprudence, took a quick shower, and laid out
my immaculate white uniform on the bed. I should arrive in
school by 12:30, perfectly composed, with still half an hour
to review for the quiz. Perfect.
Episode 3:
The Naked Chef Meets Fear Factor
Who said you need to spend thousands to
experience a sumptuous meal fit for your epicurean taste?
What I’m about to tell you is top secret- as in Maxim’s in
Paris have been begging me for this but I told them no, this
is exclusively for my friends. If you are planning a lovely
supper for a special someone, a friend, a nosy neighbor,
or perhaps your most hated enemy, you’re in luck.
Whip out the lampara and set the table for a simply
divine dining experience. First, of course you have to
prepare the following things:
-oOo-
Episode 6:
Crush-ed
I.
Ring…Ring…
35
“Ok.”
He laughed.
Is it just me?
It was Larry.
III.
“So?”
“Who?”
IV.
But Larry did not show up during that shift. Or the next.
“Down?”
This chapter takes a sentimental turn. This is
probably a clear sign that I’m getting older, because way
back in my rough-and-tumble days I never really bother to
see things in hindsight. It was always moment to moment
of fun and eagerness.
I could not see the pier for outrigger boats, for in its
place was a huge Mc Donalds, and right across it, a two-
storey Jollibee. Gaisano had a new mall at the heart of the
downtown area, and there seemed to be twice the number
of people roaming the streets.
Episode 4:
Mile High Mishap
Ever had that feeling when you have a stack of
bills on the table marked “PAST DUE” and you still are at
a loss where to get the money to pay them? How about
an impending exam with too little time to study, and three
large four-inch thick books as reference but you’ve barely
started?
“28F.”
“Oh sh*t, not here!” I thought. This time the twisting seemed
to move a little lower, down to my backside. I was clutching
my stomach.
“Would you care for some water?” That guy again, the flight
attendants were done giving snacks in Mabuhay class, but
for us in Econofare, a tepid glass of water was the only
option.
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With a grin, I said, “It was great, thanks.” And I meant it.
12 April 2010
Tacloban City
63
“Wasn’t your team the highest last week? Your team has
been consistent with high marks. The Quarterly Evals are
coming up, and it looks like a big bonus is coming your
way.” Eric smiled as he sat on the bench opposite mine.
“Aww C’mon Gab, just enjoy the sights. The views are
spectacular, and the last time I was here, I took a lot of great
photos.” Eric chimed in.“The ones posted on Facebook?”
Tatat asked.“Yeah, I think I saw those. Where are we
staying again?” I asked Eric, who had been to the place
before. Gosh, he looked so cute in his navy sweater.
II.
“Hmm I’ll decline for now. My team has been stuck in the
early morning shift for a long time now; I still have a lot of
improvements to make... You, on the other hand, are a
contender. Go!”
“Are you kidding me? Maybe Eric. He seems like the ACCM
type.” I whispered.
“Which makes it the perfect time for you to move up. Don’t
you want to challenge yourself and apply your brand of
leadership on a larger scale?”
“Jen, Jet, Mavic.. I don’t know the rest. So are you coming?”
He smiled.
Aww I wish I could just freeze this moment. If I tell you how
I feel Eric, would you still treat me the same way? I smiled
sadly.
She waved her arm, signaling that she was still on the
phone.
“Nah, I’ll just go down and have a smoke. So, what’s the
big news? Is this about Jon, your cute CSR?” She waved
a finger at me.
III.
“As soon as we get back. Hey Jen, how are you doing?”
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Jen smiled at me. “A little exhausted, but enjoying the trip
so far. Let’s buy some food!”
I set my bag on the small bed. “The rooms are small... But
I guess its cozy, and the receiving area looked really nice.”
I said.
“Oh dear, it’s getting dark. I think I’ll just stay outside.” Jen
said.
“Relax Gab, I’ve done this before. The girls can go ahead,
come on, let’s go! I’ll take care of you.” There he was again,
being charming to get his way.
“I’m wet!” I said, examining the camera. Luckily the case was
waterproof. We took a few pictures of the rock formations.
The guide pointed to a pond-like structure. We waded to
74
the point where the icy waters reached our knees.
“It’s cold out here. Let’s go back up.” Steam came out of
my mouth as I exhaled. Gosh, the temperature must have
been really low. And I realized it was already nighttime.
“One last thing.” Eric said, he took off his shirt and handed
it to me. He walked over to the deep part and immersed
himself in the water.
IV.
“Gab?” He asked.
“Shoot.”
Hi Eric,
I guess I should probably start with an apology or an
explanation, but something tells me you already know so I won’t.
Like what Tatat said, all anyone had to do was see the way I look
at you to know that I have feelings for you. Hey, you didn’t tell
me at the start of the Sagada trip that Jen was your high school
girlfriend, so that makes us even.
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I regret doing this, but I feel like this is the only way.
Unlike some people who can just move on from such an episode
and dismiss it as some interesting anecdote later on, I obviously
cannot. I’m still in love with you, actually. Haha! That’s so
hilarious to hear, even to me. But I guess I couldn’t help it.
“The only true paradises are the ones we’ve lost.” Now I know
what that line means. Thanks for the four years of great friendship
and company, I’ll always remember that. Those memories are
like secret beach coves I alone know about- and they’d always
be beautiful.
Gabby
“Are you ok?” Tatat asked gently as she stepped out of the
elevator.
---oooOooo---
79
An Essay from
Made in Saudi,
Made in America
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About 200 million migrants from different countries are
scattered across the globe, supporting a population back home that is
as big if not bigger. Were these half-billion or so people to constitute
a state -- migration nation -- it would rank as the world’s third-largest.
While some migrants go abroad with Ph.D.’s, most travel… with
modest skills but fearsome motivation. The risks migrants face are
widely known, including the risk of death, but the amounts they secure
for their families have just recently come into view.
I.
II.
III.
---oooOooo---
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR