Miss Universe 2007, Mexico City

I just finished watching the 56th Annual Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City. My first since 1994. Hehehehe! Don’t ask. I’m not into beauty pageant. Not my cup of tea. Now with my hands empty, I decided to sit and face the boob tube. Perhaps in unity with half of the population of the Philippines…the other half will watch the reruns later in the day.

My eyes popped out at the list of prizes the winner can get. Never mind the jewelry and other showcases which I think is close to a million dollars, I am particularly interested in the apartment in NY, year-long attendance to movie and Broadway premiers in New York City, 2-year scholarship at New York Film Academy (Lord, have mercy!), and an extensive travel around the world! Whew!

It got me thinking. Should I abandon my backpack and head where the audition is? Well, there is a chance to travel the world over for free. I wonder what is the age requirement? I don’t seriously think it’s already late. Harharhar! Where the hell I have been in the last ten years of my life? Never mind.

Watching the pageant convinced me more deeply to travel and see the world up close and personal. No, to see the world closer and more personal. I just hope there is a way to travel where money is not an issue. Hehehehe! Really. Out of the 22 prizes the Ms. Universe can get, I only want 4. So, please Lord, give the 4 to me. Hehehehe!!! Amen.

And, oh! I always thought before that the Mexican crowd is rude. Today, I am more convinced that they are. I can only guess why the pageant ended in such a hurry. Dammit, if only I can stop loving tacos.

Our Heels and Their Wheels

Before my sun-burned skin could finish its peeling, my happy feet were in motion again. This time into a thick forest where a majestic view awaits. Again dropping the convenience of a vehicle, we decided to bank on our footwears and trust the power of our heels. Biting the dusts and ignoring the scorching heat of the sun, the road uphill was defined but never easy.





But reaching the top was both fulfillment and bliss.





Yet, nothing and no one prepared us for such majestic views as these:





















Our eyes lusted on Nature’s bounty while our stomach feasted on man’s folly.





When it was time for us to go, we smiled as we looked back at our majestic find and sighed at the road that lies ahead. But nature is always full of wonder. As we begin our first step back home, a delicious offer was waiting at the corner. A free ride back home!





And so our day ended. My body was sore. My heart is still. My sleep deep. I am home.

The Vagabond and the Driftwood

Blame it on the summer sun or my cheerful adrenaline that came rushing every time I hear the sea breeze, I am now three shades darker from my original beautiful morena skin. It’s been days since I made it my national pastime to avoid television to save myself from knowing the latest pathetic line up of new senators. And so? When an invitation came, I grabbed it at the first chance.

I bumped into a very close friend I haven’t seen in 17 years (yes, 17-his calculation – I really can’t do math, honest!). A little talk was all it took and an hour after we were headed to a little white island to make up for the lost 17 years. We were both surprised that we pursued the same interests. While he called himself “Palaboy”(Vagabond), I told him I’m a “Dagsa” (driftwood). A Dagsa that gathers no moss. Harharhar!!!

Dropping the comfort and speed of a motorized boat, we decided on a little sailboat much to the disapproval of our respective “concerned citizens”. With seven others all males, two little sailboats and one life vest, a fish sanctuary and a beautiful white island, only a fool would stay at home and witness the latest national political tragedy unfolding.

And since we are not fools, we cheered as the naughty waves tossed our little sailboat farther away into the Pacific Ocean. The thought of the Marianas Islands as the possible destination kept our spirits high. As we shouted with excitement each time seawater filled our boats, our “concerned citizens” stormed heaven’s gate to bargain for our safety and prepared a lengthy tongue lashing in the event our victorious homecoming. Blah!

The trip was all worth it. It closed the gap of 17 years. I couldn’t remember the day he left to begin his life of being a ‘Palaboy’. I just knew he wasn’t there anymore. I guess, that’s the best part of not saying “goodbye”…you can always say “hello” again at a much later time.

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