United in White

After a scrumptious dinner and a heavy downing of Merlot’s and Sangria’s, me and my gang had an unexpected detour at Greenfield last Saturday night.

I was aware of the event but I had no plans of going. But destiny paved the way, peer pressure prevailed and I found myself braving the evening downpour to attend the biggest LGBT party of 2014.

Dubbed “Unite in White Manila”, the event was spearheaded by Mentorque Productions and Bed Manila together with the German alcohol giant, Jägermeister in cooperation with various sponsors. Normally, gay pride is observed in June and this event went a little late. Nonetheless, diversity was celebrated at the Portal in Greenfield, Ortigas City.  

Hot representatives of Jagermeister offering free booze. I just wish they were topless.   

Hot hunks giving away free protection (and lubrication) just in case things get steamy.

Music was served hot and fab by DJ’s Ace Ramos, Marc Marasigan, Toy Armada, Jay Santos, Brian Cua, Cal Soesanto, Josh Tiu and Boys Can Trance with stunning performances powerhoused by the Voice Philippines’ Morisette Amon and Radha Cuadrado.

Morisette Amon with the organizers.

We arrived very late (a little past 1 am) but fashionable (as always) as the event was never part of our day’s itinerary. We meet up with some friends and went inside Greenfield’s the Portal.

Thank God I was not a vegetarian for all I see the moment we stepped in was meat, meat and more meat!!! There were also celebrities that united with us in a night of diverse revelry.

Boys always look better with their top off.

and even hotter in trunks.

LGBT champion, John “Sweet” Lapus opened the party with his wacky antics and comedic punchlines.

Sweet opening the party.

Actress Marian Rivera as well as Eugene Domingo received awards and recognitions for their support to the LGBT community. Of course we never saw this part and were only shared to us by some of our party friends who were there to experience it.

Marian Rivera and Eugene Domingo accepting their award for their support to the LGBT community.

The music was fairly good and the booming thumpa thumpa can be heard (and felt) from the back.

My main issue was the air conditioning system. It was awfully warm and I started sweating the moment we stepped in.

We immediately searched for the nearest air conditioner and stayed there for the next 2 and a half hour.

It could have been better too if not for the “high school fair-esque” feel brought by various food stalls who sold their perishable goods inside the event.

I mean, stalls for boozes and contraceptives was very understandable. In fact, it is a requirement. But food stands? People came there to dance and party the night away and not fill their tummy which they will puke anyway by the end of the day.

It made the event look cheap.

The event was better off without it.  

The music could have made me stay longer and brought me to outer space if not for the warm climate that made me sweating like a pig and kept my feet planted firmly to the ground. In the end, we spend partying instead at Bed where the climate was to our liking before calling it a night.

It was pretty ok for a 50.00 Php event. It was a party for the mass and I made my corporate social responsibility. I just hoped next year will be different.  

photos courtesy of BED Manila

Innovation Nation

My bullying paid off when I harassed my friends to brave the vicious weather and attend the World Trade Center perennial mid-year white party. Fortunately, I did as the monsoon’s elemental assault drenched the metro unmercifully that night. 

The rain poured like there’s no tomorrow even before we reached the venue. The wind roared angrily as its cold breeze slapped our faces the moment we stepped out of the cab.

It was me, JR and Allan. 

We shared each other’s glory and we supported each other when we felt the painful abandonment of good karma. Needless to say, our friendship has remained strong over the years and we have powered through adversities, failed relationships and petty fights.

One thing we haven’t shared though was my apparent joy and often longing for the thunderous thumpa-thumpa of circuit parties since I have fallen into its addiction 2 years ago. This was their first time.

Hi, I’m Silvan and I’m a circuit party addict.

At 30 past midnight, we entered the hallowed hall of the one-night music Mecca. We have agreed that we have put up with the cold and damp long enough to be deemed fashionably late. 

Shortly after, we slowly treaded the signature dark tunnel anticipating the visual and auditory cornucopia at the end. We excitedly approached the light as it shine brighter with every step.

Soon after, we were greeted with the thunderous sound of the Big Fish’s 2013 Innovation White party.

The strobes and laser lights were brilliantly stacked up to showcase a proud choreography in sync with the heart pumping beats played by Internationally renowned and resident DJ’s. By the time Ana Criado belted her set, we were already having a euphoric audio blast. 

We danced ‘till we literally dropped.

Drowned in overpriced booze and an awesome time, my friends and I went home having the time of our lives vowing to be back in August.

When Innovation fades to black. 

photos here

All right! All Rise!

I was planning to compose a few words about this event but I felt it's better to let the graphics do the talking...

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In Time

"Hi”

A voice said to me. I turned and looked at the cute boy and I smiled, not knowing how to respond.

"Do you mind if I stay here with you?” he requested. “Only until the rain stops.”

I nodded as I looked away trying to dry my eyes with my hanky as quick as I can. When I was ready, I turned back and gave him the most sincere smile that I can conjure.

“Nathan” He said raising his hand for a handshake.

“Silvan” I replied accepting his offer.

“Woah! What a downpour!” He commented as the light drizzle angers to a heavy shower.

It was my first time going back to Malate after we broke up. Like before, it was an invite from my friends that prompted me to go. It’s been months since we parted ways and thanks to my trusted buddies, I finally broke the shell of depression.

Finally, I’m starting to pick up and patch things up in my shattered life. However, the moment I saw that place, that small ministore, I just can’t help stopping where we first found each other. It’s white wall was pulling me, beckoning like a magnet only to facilitate a yearning I’m trying hard to bury deep. Like the make shift tarpaulin shade tied to the tree and the lamp post, I'm still bound to this place. The sudden turn in the weather didn’t helped either.

That's the problem with wounds that hasn't fully healed yet. It gives you the illusion that you are but will easily tear open with the slightest trauma.

That moment I thought I should have stayed at home and read a book or watch a film. I could have avoided these places remembering the times but that would just convey loneliness and that was something that I was trying very hard to avoid also.

"Here with friends?" the guy asked obviously trying to break the cold atmosphere and I don’t mean the weather.

“Yes”

“Me too! I’m late though.”  

“So am I” I thought while reading the SMS I just got received from my friend asking where I am.

“Where are you going?” He asked knowingly as he popped a cigarette and offered one.

“No thanks. I don’t smoke” Again, I tried my best to smile. “My friends are waiting for me at Bed.

“Oh I see!” He was surprised. “Judging from the way you look and talk, I wouldn’t know that you are gay.”

“Uhmmmm…. Thanks?” I replied quizzicaly.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend you. It was a compliment.”

“No offense taken.” I said softly.

Now it was his turn to smile.

"I hope you don’t mind me asking. Is anything wrong?" He asked cautious as he puffed the last of the stick in his hand. "Are you all right?"

I watch the clouds squeezes the last of his night shower. It took me a while to respond but I nodded. "I'm just remembering what was and will never be again."

"A broken heart? Sad, but time will heal it. You'll see." He smiled. “ Nice meeting you Silvan. See you around.”

I watch Nathan walk away towards the faint sound of the Malate night life leaving me with Mavié and our good times in my mind. "Yes, a broken heart, and maybe time will heal it."

The Whore

In my pursuit of the extraordinary act of what is famously known as “moving on”, I joined an old friend’s entourage to the Halloween Circuit Party of the year. Why? Cause I don’t want to be a love whore anymore.

These kinds of revelries, and the rants and raves that goes along with it, is not new to me. In fact, I have considered attending to one numerous times in the past.

That’s the thing though, I only considered it. I always had my eye towards the light but I never had the strength to walk towards it… until now. I thought this is the right time to be a party whore… being single and all. Better be a party whore than a love whore.

The time, October 29th. The venue, World Trade Center.

While there’s an obvious scarcity of parking spaces for the fashionably late, we luckily found an empty lot on the highway isle. We unmercifully climbed over the isle and drove through the grass and plants and made a stop on their flora carcasses that would make Capt. Planet bitch slap our party ass.  

My friend, and designated driver, turned the engine off, faced us and shared a bottle of Gatorade. And in the cover of darkness and coconut trees, we shared among the five of us the funky tasting power drink. As for me, I gulp down my first taste of party drug as I listen to the faint sound of the thumpa-thumpa booming from afar.

My-first-party-drug

I’ve been avoiding this substance but no longer. It’s my final act before crossing the other side. Whether of the grass is greener on that side or not, I have no idea. All I know is I want to escape the state where I am right now.

The World Trade Center was stripped of its monotonous, commercial stature and was transformed into a spontaneous party sanctuary dressed in flamboyant explosion of lights and sounds. The local partizens were no less glitzy in their glamorous costumes.

As we walked towards the venue, I can feel it take effect. My heart beating louder and louder in synch with the succulently screaming sound of the whole center. My head feeling light as feather. My sight deliciously spinning.

We entered the hall into a slightly lit makeshift tunnel built to create an excitement until you reach the other end. And what an amazing sight it was. I feel like I am in one of the queer as folk episode and any moment I will bump into Brian Kinney making out with some hot guy or Michael dancing with Ben.

Everything was so beautiful that I almost cried… the light and sound set-up was overwhelming… I just wanna fucking dance the night away. I feel like I love everyone. But that could have been just the E talking. 

No, it’s definitely the E.

Midway through the good vibes, a revelation: My friend shared that there’s an after party that we are attending and I would appreciate it more than the party itself. Judging from my friend’s grin that spans ear to ear, I knew what is that after party.

Finally, I got my wish granted. From a love whore to a party whore, soon, I will be just plain whore. 16 men, 10 hours, 1 room, 5 rounds of recreational drugs and unlimited supply of condoms and lube. That’s one mighty concoction of libido.

We left for the after party at 4 am and went straight to a Makati Condominium. We were met with another shot of E.

I kissed, sucked, fucked, got sucked, got fucked… all the sexual innuendos devoid of any affection just hot men acting on their raw urges to feast on someone else’s flesh.

10 hours of fucking later, I went home. My mind, body and spirit totally drained out of energy but still elated as the last drops of party fluid works its magic in my system.

In my room I went straight to the bathroom and cleaned myself while waiting for the juice that made me the whore that night to evaporate. 10 minutes later, I’m in my bed awake staring at the ceiling just drunk and high enough to let go of my pride. I can taste the saline as my tears unceremoniously flow from my eyes to my mouth.

That night, I cried myself to sleep realizing that I’m back to where I started only stripped of the remaining innocence that I have tried so hard to protect.

I’m still a love whore.