OVERCOMING OBSTACLES by: Henry Ford

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. "

Rumpelstiltskin By the Brothers Grimm

Once upon a time there was a miller who was poor, but he had a beautiful daughter. Now it happened that he was talking with the king one time, and in order to make himself seem important, he said to the king, "I have a daughter who can spin straw into gold."
"This is an art that pleases me!" the king replied. "If your daughter is as talented as you say, then bring her to my castle tomorrow, and I'll put her to a test."
When the maiden was brought to him, he led her into a room that was filled with straw. There he gave her a spinning wheel and a spindle and said, "Now get to work! If you don't spin this straw into gold by morning, then you must die." Then he locked the door himself, and she remained inside all alone.
The miller's poor daughter sat there feeling close to her wits' end, for she knew nothing about spinning straw into gold, and her fear grew greater and greater. When she began to weep, the door suddenly opened, and a little man entered.
"Good evening, mistress miller, why are you weeping so?"
"Oh," answered the maiden, "I'm supposed to spin straw into gold, and I don't know how."
The little man then asked, "What will you give me if I spin it for you?"
"My necklace," the maiden said.
The little man took the necklace and sat down at the wheel, and whizz, whizz, whizz, three times round, the spool was full. Then he inserted another one, and whizz, whizz, whizz, the second was full. And so it went until morning, when all the straw was spun, and all the spools were filled with gold. The king appeared right at sunrise, and when he saw the gold, he was surprised and pleased, but his heart grew even greedier. He locked the miller's daughter in another room that was even larger than the first and ordered her to spin all the straw into gold if she valued her life. The maiden did not know what to do and began to weep. Once again the door opened, and the little man appeared and asked, "What will you give me if I spin the straw into gold for you?"
"The ring on my finger," answered the maiden.
The little man took the ring, began to work away at the wheel again, and by morning he had spun all the straw into shining gold. The king was extremely pleased by the sight, but his lust for gold was still not satisfied. So he had the miller's daughter brought into an even larger room filled with straw and said to her, "You must spin all this into gold tonight. If you succeed, you shall become my wife." To himself he thought, Even though she's just a miller's daughter, I'll never find a richer woman anywhere in the world.
When the maiden was alone, the little man came again for a third time and asked, "What will you give me if I spin the straw into gold once more?"
"I have nothing left to give," answered the maiden.
"Then promise me your first child when you become queen."
Who knows whether it will ever come to that? thought the miller's daughter. And since she knew of no other way out of her predicament, she promised the little man what he had demanded. In return the little man spun the straw into gold once again. When the king came in the morning and found everything as he had wished, he married her, and the beautiful miller's daughter became a queen.
After a year she gave birth to a beautiful child. The little man had disappeared from her mind, but now he suddenly reappeared in her room and said, "Now give me what you promised."
The queen was horrified and offered the little man all the treasures of the kingdom if he would let her keep her child, but the little man replied, "No, something living is more important to me than all the treasures in the world."
Then the queen began to grieve and week so much that the little man felt sorry for her. "I'll give you three days' time," he said. "If you can guess my name by the third day, you shall keep your child."
The queen spent the entire night trying to recall all the names she had ever heard. She also sent a messenger out into the country to inquire high and low what other names there were. On the following day, when the little man appeared, she began with Kasper, Mechior, Balzer, and then repeated all the names she knew, one after the other. But to all of them, the little man said, "That's not my name."
The second day she had her servants ask around in the neighboring area what names people used, and she came up with the most unusual and strangest names when the little man appeared.
Is your name Ribsofbeef or Muttonchops or Lacedleg?"
But he always replied, "That's not my name."
On the third day the messenger returned and reported, "I couldn't find a single new name, but as I was climbing a high mountain at the edge of the forest, where the fox and the hare say good night to each other, I saw a small cottage, and in front of the cottage was a fire, and around the fire danced a ridiculous little man who was hopping on one leg and screeching:
'Today I'll berew, tomorrow I'll bake.Soon I'll have the queen's namesake.Oh, how hard it is to play my game,for Rumpelstiltskin is my name!
You can imagine how happy the queen was when she heard the name. And as soon as the little man entered and asked "What's my name, Your Highness?" she responded first by guessing.
"Is your name Kunz?"
"No."
"Is your name Heinz?"
"No."
"Can your name be Rumpelstiltskin?"
"The devil told you! The devil told you!" the little man screamed, and he stamped so ferociously with his right foot that his leg went deep into the ground up to his waist. Then he grabbed the other foot angrily with both hands and ripped himself in two.

15 Tips to Stay Positive in Negative Situations

There are times when we must go through negative situations. Maybe people say something negative about us, or they show rejection or even resentment against us. In such situations, it may be difficult to stay positive. We may be inclined to react negatively to them. That won’t do us any good though; doing so will just make the situation worse. People may behave even more negatively to us. Our day would be filled with anger and disappointment. At the end, nobody wins.

Though it’s not easy, it’s important to stay positive in negative situations. Beat the negative situations by staying positive. Here are 15 tips on how to do it; pick the ones that work for you:

1. Never respond when you are not calm. If you are not sure that you are calm, don’t respond. Take time to calm yourself down first.
2. Take a deep breath as a first step to calm yourself down.
3. Speak in gentle tone to reduce the tension of the situation.
4. Realize that you can find opportunities in negative situations. Albert Einstein said: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
5. Look at the content of what people say to you for something positive that you can act upon to improve yourself. Don’t just reject the whole messages.
6. For the rest of the messages which is negative, simply ignore it.
7. Maintain positive view of the people. Maybe you don’t like their messages or behavior, but that doesn’t mean that you can hate them personally.
8. Realize that having negative feelings will just hurt you, not them. So there is no reason for you to have any negative feeling.
9. If you make mistakes, be open to admit it.
10. If you make mistakes, remember this quote by George Bernard Shaw: “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”
11. If you can, listen to motivational audio program to feed positive thoughts into your mind.
12. Talk to a positive friend who can encourage you.
13. Remember your favorite quotes to give you inspiration and motivation. This is one reason why you should have quote of the day.
14. Look at the negative situations as your training sessions for real life. The higher you climb in life, the worse the negative situations would be, so you’d better be prepared for them.
15. Realize that you can’t please everyone. In fact, nobody can. Sometimes you need to just let some people go. Realizing this will relieve you from a lot of unnecessary burden so that you can focus on the people that you can positively interact with.

The Top 10 Ways to Start Living Your Life

Everyone Gets the Same 24 Hours

Life ? it's what we do between the time we get here and

When we go. We Only get one, and despite what other folks

Might suppose, it's ours to Determine what to do with it.

We don't measure life in hours and minutes.

We measure life in Memories and moments.

The Top 10 Ways to Start Living Your Life
By: Liz Strauss

Life either happens to us, or we take hold of life and live it.

HereAre 10 Ways to get a life and start living it.

1. Give yourself permission to claim your life. That's right ?
Permission. You're the only one who can decide you are in charge of
Your life. Even though it feels like you're not supposed to do so,
Turn off the internal editors, the old tape recordings, the "should's,
Have to's, and musts", and the rules that didn't come from you.

2. Define what living means to you. It's not as hard as it sounds.
Just picture yourself at the end of your life looking back. What words
Would you want to describe how you lived your life and who you are as
A person?

3. Stop living in the future. Every time you think "someday" or "when
I have time I will," stop. Ask yourself, "Why not now?" Think about
This sentence, "I always wanted to, but never did." Start doing the
Things you always planned to do. Choose your life every morning. Plan
One thing you will do that day to feel alive.

4. Surround yourself with people who enjoy living. They've obviously
Discovered how to have a life and live it. Why not hang with the pros?

5. Lay down your pain and your anger. Carrying them around makes
Living harder and less fun. It doesn't bring anything, and it steals a
Lot.

6. Let the losers win. Don't argue about things that you don't care
About. Unless there's some real threat, let the folks who have
Something to prove, prove what they need to. Why waste your living
Time trying to fix what's wrong with them?

7. Create energy. Jump to forgiveness and love, then figure things
Out. Most conclusions we jump to are not only wrong, they're negative.
Negative conclusions lead us to prepare a defense. Being on the
Defensive isn't living. It's hiding from life.

8. Learn the physical symptoms of when your head and heart become
Disconnected. We know when we're having a knee jerk reaction, when
We're feeling sorry for ourselves, and when we're being blind to
people's feelings. We can remember how it felt physically while we
Were behaving badly. Get to know those symptoms, and you can stop the
Behavior. Living life will feel a whole lot safer because you won't be
In danger of shooting yourself in the foot.

9. Take small risks that push your boundaries in every way. The joy of
Life is packed in learning that matches our skill set. When we stretch
Just a bit intellectually, physically, emotionally, we grow. Living is
Growing. Even your cells know that.

10. Value and protect the people and the places you care about. A job
Isn't a life. It's just a part of one. Let the people you care about
Come first, and let everyone know that you do. Re-read numbers 1 and 2.

We come into life with whatever we've got. It's ours to do with. It
Took me a while to figure that out ? That my life isn't just what
Happens to me, that I could take hold of it.

"I asked God to give me happiness,God said,

'No,I give you blessings,Happiness is up to you'."

THE GREATEST ADVICE

THE GREATEST ADVICE
By Rick Warren, the Purpose Driven Life

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are
superior.
Don't philander because you think you are
irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust..
Don't cheat. Don't lie.. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old
enough & know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.
Don't stagnate!

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or
anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr.. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong
because your biological
clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price
to be paid for some of
life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the
homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the
wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions & be the
best of what you can be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends,
nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't
overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and
feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take
care of you.
You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn't true that life does not get easier with
age..
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old.. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them
a portion of your life that you'll never get back.
Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift
you can give to someone is your time.
Relationships take time and effort, and the best way
to spell love is
T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we
think or do or provide for others, but how much we
give of ourselves...

20 Questions by Juan Ekis

I took this from Eman Manuud. It was nicely written. Exclusive for Psych Majors and only for those who can understand and appreciate literary pieces.:p

***

This play won in the palanca awards, dulaang isangyugto category.
Twenty Questions ni Juan Ekis
MGA TAUHAN
*Jigs - Fresh grad. Kabarkada ni Yumi. Magtatrabahobilang researchersaisang financial firm
*Yumi - Commercial Model. Kabarkada ni Jigs. 2 yearsahead kay Jigs.
TAGPO
Gabi. Sa isang kwarto ng isang beach resort.Naglalatag ng kumot siJigssa sahig habang inaayos ni Yumi ang kanyang higaan.
YUMI: Sige na, Jigs. Huwag ka nang magpaka-gentle man.Naaawa ako sa¹yoe.Tabi na tayo sa kama.
JIGS: Hindi, okay lang ako dito.
YUMI: Huwag ka nang maarte. As if naman re-rapin kitano. Malaki naman itong kama e. Hatiin na lang natin sa gitna.
JIGS: Sure ka?
YUMI: Hindi mo naman siguro ako mamanyakin no?
JIGS: (Matatawa) Okay ka lang?
YUMI: Kung gusto mo, gamitin na lang natin iyang kumotna divider.
JIGS: Good idea.
Isasampay nila ang kumot mula sa kisame para mahati ang kama sa gitna. Magsesettle down ang dalawa. Ilalabas ni Jigs ang libro niya: ³Puppy Love and other Stories² ni F. Sionil Jose. Si Yumi naman ay magpapatugtog ng Japanese Zen Music habang nagsa-zazen.
YUMI: Do you mind?
JIGS: No, go ahead. I¹m just reading.Magsa-zazen si Yumi.
Magbabasa si Jigs. Pareho silang di maka-concentrate. Papatayin ni Yumi ang CD player niya.
YUMI: I can¹t believe our friends.
JIGS: Oo nga e.
YUMI: Dapat ginagawa nila ito sa mga bagong pasok sa barkada o kaya sa bagong...ay oo nga pala. Bagong graduate ka. Congrats.
JIGS: Thanks.
YUMI: So what¹re your plans?
JIGS: Kinukuha akong researcher sa ADB. Kinukuha rin ako ng BPI sa OTP nila.
YUMI: Wow naman. In demand.
JIGS: Di naman masyado. Who the hell invented thistradition anyway?
YUMI (Matatawa) You won¹t believe it.
JIGS: Ikaw?
YUMI: Malay ko ba na mabibiktima rin ako nito balang-araw.J
IGS: So why did you start it?
YUMI: Wala ka pa sa tropa nun e. Freshman ka pa langsiguro noon. Wala lang. Napagtripan lang namin si Ronald. E may crush siya kay Meg. Noong unang beses magpunta rito ng barkada, sabi ko, magsimula kami ng tradition. Ilo-lottery namin ang pangalan ng mga lalaki at ng mga babae. Kung sino ang mabubunot, silang dalawa ang pagsasamahin sa isang kwarto sa loob ng tatlong araw. And then, we¹ll all see what happens. Pero dinaya namin noon yung kay Ronald at Meg. Puro Ronald at Meg ang mga pangalan na nakalagay sa lottery.
JIGS: (Tatawa) Ang sama ninyo!
YUMI: Kaya nga nakarma na ako e.
JIGS: So is our case, dinaya? O talagang lottery?
YUMI: (Teasing) Ano sa dalawa ang gusto mo?
JIGS: Feeling ko may nagtrip sa¹kin sa barkada e.
YUMI: Excuse me po, dalawa tayong biktima dito. I don¹t see any reason kung bakit tayong dalawa ang sasadyaing biktima this year, unless may crush ka sa¹kin na di ko alam at alam nila (tatawa).
JIGS: Baka ikaw (tatawa).
YUMI: The success rate of this tradition is 100 o far.
JIGS: I was here na the 2nd time. Si Chris at si Cia ang biktima.
YUMI:And last year were Rod and Kay. They¹re getting married kailan? Sa June yata.
JIGS: What do you expect? Ikukulong mo ang isang lalaki at isang babae sa isang kwarto for three days, imposibleng walang mangyari doon!
YUMI:That was exactly my point. (Ngingiti)
JIGS: E kung may madisgrasya?
YUMI: Ano¹ng disgrasya?
JIGS: Alam mo na ?yun!Hahawiin ni Yumi ang divider nilang kumot.
YUMI: Ano? Sex? Pa¹no kung magsex sila? Nakakatawa ka naman. Di mo masabi.
JIGS: Ang alin?
YUMI: Ang sex!
IGS: Hah!
YUMI: Sige nga sabihin mo nga?
JIGS: Para kang tanga. Tumigil ka nga.
YUMI: Shet, Jigs. Graduate ka na totoy ka pa rin!
JIGS: Excuse me?
YUMI: Sabihin mo nga: ³Sex! Sex! Sex! Sex!²
JIGS: Para kang bata, Yumi ha.
YUMI: You used to call me ate Yumi when you were in third year.
JIGS: Well, graduate na po ako, ate Yumi.Tahimik.
JIGS: Hmmm. I wonder if we¹re gonna last three days.
YUMI: (Teasing) Bakit? Ayaw mo sa¹kin?Di sasagot si Jigs.
YUMI: We¹re gonna survive this one.
JIGS: What makes you so sure?
YUMI: No offense, Jigs. I honestly find you very attractive pero I¹ve no time for this.
JIGS: Same here.
YUMI: Same here what? Na you find me attractive o you don¹t have time for this? (Matatawa)Di sasagot si Jigs. Tahimik. Io-on ulit ni Yumi ang CD player at ipagpapatuloy ang zazen. Itatabi ni Jigs ang libro. Nawalan na siya ng ganang magbasa. Pupunta siya sa ref. Bubuksan niya ito.
JIGS:Hah! (Sarcastic) Perfect! Red Wine! How very conducive.
YUMI: May chips ba diyan?
JIGS: Sa awa ng Diyos, may tsibog naman.
Papatayin ni Yumi ang CD player. Tatayo siya at kukuha ng chips sa ibabaw ng ref.
YUMI: Since we¹re gonna be stuck naman with each other for three days, might as well make the best out of it di ba? I-enjoy na lang natin.
JIGS:What do you mean?
YUMI: Get the wine, let¹s have a drink! 50 hours to go na lang and we¹regonna be the first failure of this tradition.
JIGS: Oo nga. (Kukunin ang wine. Maglalagay sa dalawang baso.) When they chose Cia and Chris, naiintindihan ko pa e. Lalo na sina Rod and Kay. Kung baga,tinulungan lang natin silang umamin sa isa¹t isa. Pero us...
YUMI:Weird ng barkada natin no?JIGS: To our barkada and our weird traditions!
YUMI:To us, the first failure of this tradition!Magto-toast sila at iinom.
JIGS: Sige, ate Yumi. Let¹s make our stay here more interesting...
YUMI: What¹s with the ate?
JIGS : Fine...Bubuksan ni Yumi ang chips. Uupo sila pareho sa sahig para magkwentuhan.
JIGS: Let¹s play twenty questions.
YUMI: Sige! Ano yon?
JIGS: Each of us will have ten questions each.Tatanungin kita, tatanungin mo ako, mga gusto nating malaman sa isa¹t isa. Alternate tayo. Pero the thing here is, you can¹t ask the question that I already asked.
YUMI: That¹s pretty interesting.
JIGS: At bawal magsinungaling.
YUMI: Fair enough. Pero whatever is said inside this room remains in the room. Ok?
JIGS: Of course. You wanna start?
YUMI: No. I want to ask the last question. (Ngingiti atkikindatan si Jigs)
JIGS: Smart move. Game. First question: Ano ang greatest frustration mo sa buhay?
YUMI: Nge. Ang korni naman ng tanong mo. Walang ka-challenge-challenge. Ask me something na mag-iisip naman ako.
JIGS: Simula pa lang e.
YUMI: Sige. Ano nga ba...?
JIGS: Akala ko ba walang ka-challenge-challenge?
YUMI: Wag kang maingay, nag-iisip ako...I¹m a frustrated ballet dancer.
JIGS: Talaga?
YUMI: I took lessons when I was six pero umayaw ako. Wala kasi akong disiplina e. Mas gusto kong makipaglaro sa mga kalaro ko. Pero I really enjoy watching ballet dancers. When I see them dance parati kong naiisip na sana, ako rin. There! Ang dali naman ng tanong mo. Walang thrill.
JIGS: Appetizer lang. Yari ka sa¹kin mamaya.
YUMI: We¹ll see. Ako naman: Did you ever have doubts about your sexuality? I mean, kahit minsan ba, naisip mo na bakla ka?
JIGS: Never.
YUMI: Bilis ng sagot a.
JIGS: Coz I never entertained the idea.
YUMI: Homophobe ka ba?
JIGS: Alternate tayo sa tanungan, di ba?
YUMI: So, not once? Kahit konti? Kahit what if lang?
JIGS: I¹m straight, okay?
YUMI: I'm not asking if you¹re gay or not. I¹m askingkung...
JIGS: Never nga.
YUMI: We all thought na you were gay. Well at least nung first few months mo sa tropa before you introduced your girlfriend to us.
JIGS: What?! You thought I was gay?!
YUMI: E pa'no kasi, masyado kang mabait. Ang pogi-pogi mo, pero parang allergic ka sa mga babae. Over ang pagiging gentleman mo. Too good to be true. You have a good body, it seems that you work out pero iniisip naming front mo lang yun. Kadalasan kasi front ng mga bakla ang pagiging maganda ng katawan nila at pagiging sporty...
Tatawa lang si Jigs.
YUMI: So we thought it¹s either that or you were planning to become a priest.
JIGS: What?!
YUMI: Well, you were always this goody-goody person. Pumupunta ka sa chapel. Nangungumpisal, nagsisimba...
JIGS: The way you said it, parang equivalent ang dalawa a.
YUMI: Of course not. I didn¹t mean that!
JIGS: I take my faith seriously. That doesn¹t make me gay!
YUMI: So you did want to become a priest...
JIGS: Hindi rin. Actually, I always wanted to raise a family...and be a father.Tahimik.
YUMI: So you¹re not gay.
JIGS: No.
YUMI: You never...
JIGS: Ilang beses ka ba ipinanganak? Kulit mo e. It¹smy turn.
YUMI: Homophobe ka no?
JIGS: Hindi kaya!
YUMI: Whatever...
JIGS: Ako na, daya mo naman e.
YUMI: Okay, okay. Shoot me.
JIGS: How do you see yourself five years from now?
YUMI: You expect to win this game? Ang kokorni ng mga tanong mo e.
JIGS: The object of this game is not to win.
YUMI: E ano pa ba?
JIGS: To get to know the other person.
YUMI: Sure. Basta ako, I will win this game. Walang thrill ang isang game kung walang nananalo.
JIGS: Sagot.
YUMI: May time limit ba ?to? (Tatawa) Wine pa nga.
JIGS: Sabi nga nila: in vino veritas.Magsasalin si Jigs ng wine.
YUMI: Masarap ang wine, ha? Saan kaya nabili ito? (Iinom) To answer your question, either maging entrepreneur ako, magsisimula ako ng sarili kong botique or bar, o kaya, magiging artista ako sa pelikula.
JIGS: Not bad.
YUMI: Pero mukhang malabo yung stint ko sa movies. Tough ang competition e. Saka mahina ang manager ko. Panay hosting at pictorials ang nakukuhang raket para sa akin. Papalitan ko na nga e. Pag nakaipon ako, baka magtayo na lang ako ng botique.
JIGS: (Magbibiro) Ayaw mo mag-bold?
YUMI: Yuck!
JIGS: Lahat ng gustong mag-artista doon dumadaan.
YUMI: May talent naman ako kahit papano a!
JIGS: Lahat naman ng bold star may talent a! Sa dibdib! (Tatawa)
YUMI: (Hahampasin ng unan si Jigs) Bastos ka talaga! Akala ko goody-goody ka...Hindi ko papatulan ang pagbobold kahit ano¹ng mangyari no! Kahit ganito ako, may respeto pa rin naman ako sa sarili ko.
JIGS: Ganito? Ano¹ng ganito?
Di sasagutin ni Yumi ang tanong.
YUMI: These producers think all the people want is sex, sex, sex! Kaya puro basura ang mga pelikula e. Wine pa nga!
JIGS: (Magsasalin ng wine) Bakit naman botique?
YUMI: Hoy madaya ka na ha? Hindi pa ako lasing. Ako na¹ng magtatanong. Ang korni mo namang magtanong. Bigatan naman natin nang konti...Inom ka muna.
Iinom si Jigs. Magsasalin siya ng bago.
YUMI: Who was your first crush in the barkada?Tahimik.
YUMI: Haha! Bingo ka no? Bagal mo naman sumagot.
Iinumin ang wine. Magsasalin ng bago.
JIGS: Lalaki o babae?Tatawa sila pareho.
YUMI: Dapat may time limit ito e.Tahimik.
JIGS; Hirap naman ng tanong mo.
YUMI: Iyon nga ang maganda e. Para may thrill. As if naman ibo-broadcast ko sa barkada kung sino.
JIGS: Wine pa?
YUMI:Di mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko, nagtatanong ka na!
Magsasalin ng wine si Jigs kay Yumi.
JIGS: Yung crush ko kasi...siyempre, sino pa ba? E di yung pinakamaganda sa barkada.
YUMI: Nge. Subjective yon no! Para sa¹kin ang pinakagwapo si Joel. Sa babae, si Kay. Para kay Ronald, si Meg...
JIGS: Yung literally na may dating'walang tanung-tanong. Yung kahit sino¹ng tanungin mo sa tropa, objectively, siya ang isasagot.
YUMI: Jigs, twenty questions ang game natin. Hindi guessing game. C¹mon man. Play your own game. Pa¹no na kung truth or dare to e di pahirapan na. Dadalawa na nga lang tayo e.
JIGS: Yung commercial model.Matitigilan si Yumi.
YUMI: Wine pa nga.
Magsasalin si Jigs. Mag-iisip si Yumi. Iinom. Biglangmatatawa.
YUMI: (Tumatawa pa rin) Talaga?
JIGS: Sige, pagtawanan ba?
YUMI: You can say it to my face, I won¹t bite. Bakit hirap na hirap kang sabihin kung sino? Takot kang ma-reject? Parang tanong lang e...Wine pa nga!
JIGS: Okay, 1 point ka na...
YUMI: (Ngiti) Gee...thanks. Flattered naman ako. At kailan naman nangyari ito?
JIGS: Sorry, my turn to ask. (Ngingiti) Who is your crush in the barkada...NOW?
YUMI: E ginaya mo lang yung tanong ko e.
JIGS: Hinde no. May qualifier ako. Ang sabi ko, NOW. Ang tanong mo, first crush ko.
YUMI: Korni pa rin. Alam mo, kung basketball ito. tambak ka na.
JIGS: Just answer the question.
YUMI: Siyempre wala. I told you, I don¹t have time for these stuff. Kakabreak ko lang dba?
JIGS: Korni mo namang sumagot.
YUMI: E korni yung tanong e. Pero kung talagang-talagang kailangan kong sumagot.hmmm.teka.sino nga ba? Sino ba¹ng crush material sa barkada? Wala akong maisip e. Ikaw na lang.
JIGS: Yung seryoso naman.
YUMI: Seryoso ako. Ayaw mo yata e. Sige, iba na lang...
JIGS: E napipilitan ka lang e.
YUMI: Uy! Pa¹no ba¹yan? MU na tayo? Crush mo ko, crush kita...yiheee (Tatawa).
JIGS: Dati pa ?yon no!
YUMI: Ay? Di mo na ko crush? Bakit, na turn-off ka? Ano namang ginawa ko? Tsk. Tsk.
JIGS: Is that your question na?
YUMI: Oy, hinde! Ito naman...di ba pwedeng mag-follow-up?
Iinom ng wine si Jigs.
YUMI: Fine. Here¹s a little juicy question: Describe your first kiss.
JIGS: That¹s not even a question.
YUMI: Arte mo. O: How was your first kiss like?Matatawa si Jigs.
JIGS: Wet.
YUMI: Yuck!Magtatawanan sila.
JIGS: Alam mo, aksidente yung first kiss ko. Close kasi kami nung isa kong kaibigan. Pag naggu-goodbye ako sa kanya, parati ko siyang kini-kiss sa noo. E one time, sa gym habang nagpapahinga, nakaupo siya sa sahig. Tinatamad siyang tumayo. So bumaba ako nang konti para halikan siya sa noo kasi pauwi na ako. E siya naman, para maabot ko, medyo tumingala . E sakto, sa lips ko siya nahalikan. Pareho kaming nagulat. Pero di pa Kami naghiwalay agad. Weird nga ang feeling e. Parang may glue. Ayaw na naming maghiwalay pareho...
Tawa pa rin si Yumi
YUMI: Awww. Ang sweet naman. Parang sa pelikula. Si Krissy ba ?to?
JIGS: Hindi. Hindi mo siya kilala.
YUMI: So what happened? Nagkatuluyan kayo?
JIGS: Nope.
YUMI: Ha?
JIGS: Ewan ko ba. Complicated kasi yung situation naming e. May boyfriend siya noon. Ako naman, takot pa sa isang relationship. Pero at least, na-discover namin na pareho pala kaming may gusto sa isa¹t isa. Pero hanggang doon na lang.
YUMI: What happened after?
JIGS:We talked about it. We both decided na it wont work. Tapos, bigla na lang, hindi na kami nagkikita. And then, I met you guys, iba na ang barkada ko.
YUMI: Nakakatuwa naman.
JIGS: Ikaw, pa¹no yung first kiss mo?
YUMI: Ikaw ang nagturo sa akin ng game na ito di ba? Bakit ba lagi mong bini-break ang rules? Di mo na pwedeng tanungin ?yan!
JIGS: Tine-testing ko lang kung lasing ka na. (Iinom ng wine) Okay, naka-warm-up na ako: What was the naughtiest thing you ever did?
YUMI: Yan ang mga tanong! Ano ba¹ng ibig mong sabihin ng naughty?
JIGS: Bahala kang mag-define.
YUMI: Hmmm...marami e...(matatawa) baka maeskandalo ka.
JIGS: Kanina ayaw mo ng korni. Ngayong medyo exciting naman...
YUMI: Eto na...I had two boyfriends at the same time.
JIGS: (Nagulat) Hala.
YUMI: I was with Joel and Zach at the same time.
JIGS: Yikes. Alam ba ni Joel?
YUMI: Kaya nga kami naghiwalay nun e. Nahuli ako(matatawa).
JIGS: Ano namang pumasok sa kukote mo¹t ginawa mo iyon,aber?
YUMI: Nag-eexperiment lang ako. E sa type ko sila pareho e. Ano¹ng magagawa ko? Saka para may thrill. Alam mo yon? Yung patago kang nakikipag-date sa isa para di mahuli. Everyday pa akong nakakalibre, kasi, alternate sila! (Tatawa) Akala n¹yo kayo lang mga lalaki ang pwedeng gumawa no¹n?
JIGS: How can you love two guys at the same time?
YUMI: Who said something about love? Walang kinalaman ang love dun. I was...having fun!JIGS: Nainlove ka na ba, ever?
YUMI: Nakakailang tanong ka na? It¹s my turn.
JIGS: Don¹t you want to answer the question anyway?
YUMI: My turn!
JIGS: Kulang ka pa sa wine. (Tatawa)Ubos na ang unang wine bottle. Kukuha si Jigs ng isapa sa ref.
JIGS: Ang bilis nating uminom a.
YUMI: Are you still a virgin?
JIGS: Whoa! Where did that come from?
YUMI: That¹s my fourth question.
JIGS: (Magsasalin ng wine sa mga baso). Ano sa tingin mo?Ngingiti si Jigs.
Tititigan lang siya ni Yumi.
YUMI: Don¹t tell me, wala pang nangyayari sa inyo ni Krissy hanggang ngayon? Ilang taon na ba kayo? Mag-tu-two years na sana next week.
YUMI: So virgin ka pa? I don¹t believe it!
JIGS: Mukha ba akong tarantado?
YUMI: Mukha kang nagpapaiyak ng babae e.
JIGS: Insulto ba yon?
YUMI: Compliment yon, tanga.
JIGS: Ah, okay. Thanks.
YUMI: Pero, you mean, you never felt the urge to do it?
JIGS: Alin? Sex?
YUMI: Wow! Nasabi rin niya!
JIGS: Of course I always feel it. Natural lang iyon sa tao no? Nasa iyo na lang yan kung ano¹ng gagawin mo sa urge na yon.
YUMI: E natural naman pala e. Bakit mo pinipigilan? I mean, pag naiihika, iihi ka. Pag nagugutom ka, kakain ka. Pareho lang yon, di ba?
JIGS: Pag naiihi ka, iihi ka dahil kailangan mong umihi. At hindi ka iihi kahit saan. Pupunta ka sa banyo. Pag nagugutom ka, kakain ka dahil kailangan. At hindi mo kinakain ang lahat ng pagkain na ihain saiyo. Pag di ka gutom, di ka kakain. Pag di mo gusto yung pagkain, di mo gagalawin. Ang aso, pag may nakitang pagkain diyan, walang tanung-tanong. Lalamon iyan.
YUMI: And sex is the same?
JIGS: Lahat ng bagay, nilalagay sa lugar. May context. At least, yun ang nagpaiba sa atin sa aso.
YUMI: Grabe ka namang magsalita. Para mo na ring sinabing lahat ng nakikipagsex, aso ah!JIGS: Sinasabi ko lang, pag wala sa tamang konteksto, mali.
YUMI: And what is that context?JIGS: Matanda na tayo. Ayokong maging preachy. Alam na natin yan?
Tahimik.
JIGS: Kaso, kahit alam na natin, minsan di pa rin natin ginagawa.
Tahimik.
JIGS: Masarap e. Sino ba¹ng ayaw nun?
Tahimik.
YUMI: (Medyo nairita) So feeling mo santo ka at dapat kang i-congratulate for being a virgin!JIGS: Sinasabi ko lang ang pinaniniwalaan ko. Ineexplain ko lang kung bakit di ko ginagawa. May kanya-kanya tayong dahilan. Di ko pinipilit kahit kanino ang mga paniniwala ko...No need to get so cross about it, Yumi.
Tahimik.
JIGS: It¹s not about being a virgin or not. It¹s about putting things into their proper places.
YUMI: I¹m not arguing with you.
JIGS: Me neither. I¹m just answering your questions.
Matagal na katahimikan.Ngingiti si Jigs. Titignan niya si Yumi na medyo nairita sa nakaraang train of conversation nila. Magsasalin siya ng wine para kay Yumi.
JIGS: Nasobrahan ka na yata sa wine e. (Tatawa) You still wanna go on with the game? Nine pa lang tayo, eleven more to go. (Ngingiti)
YUMI: Shoot me.
JIGS:Who was your first lay?
YUMI: (Hahampasin ng unan si Jigs) Ang bastos mo talaga! So inaassume mo Na hindi na ako virgin?
JIGS: E sabi mo kasi, walang thrill ang game pag walang nananalo e. So I guess I¹m winning. Saka wala naman akong inimply na ganun a! I¹m just hitting two birds with one stone. Kasi kung virgin ka, e di simple lang ang sagot: wala. Kung hindi naman, e di sino?
YUMI: Ang daya mo.
JIGS: Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng korning tanong.
YUMI: You think I¹ll answer that after giving your sermon, Father Jigs?
JIGS: Ano ka ba? Inexplain ko lang yung personal reasons ko. Kung anoMan ang sa iyo, I¹ll respect them as well as I know you respect mine. I¹mNo saint. I¹m just trying to get to know you better. (Ngingiti)
YUMI: How do you do that?
JIGS: Alin?
YUMI: I should have walked out on you kanina pa pero the way you say things...parang bumabaliktad sa¹yo...makes you more...charming. Kung ibang tao ka siguro, di na kita kakausapin.
JIGS: You can¹t walk out. We¹re locked here for three days except for meals.
YUMI: So I¹m forced to like you para di masira ang vacation ko. (Ngingiti)
JIGS: You don¹t have to answer my question if you don¹t want.
YUMI: I guess I¹ll be honest with you as you were honest with me...Tahimik. Iinom ng wine si Yumi.
YUMI: Di mo siya kilala. His name was Robert. He was my first boyfriend. It was Senior Prom Night. Alam mo na...typical senior prom story. Everyone wants to lose it on prom night. Everyone thinks na pag prom night, it was something special. We went out sa hall nang maaga. We made out sa kotse niya. One thing led to the other. Tapos, yun...yun na. We went back just in time for the awarding of the prom queen. Guess what, I won pa.(Mahinang tawa)
JIGS: What was it like?
YUMI: Now that I look back, it isn¹t as special as I thought it was. Pero it was different then. Back then, we were just led by our passions. Alam mo yon? Andun ka na. Hormones raging wild. Passions and Ideals are confused. Akala mo love, yun pala, curious ka lang pala. Akala mo yun na yon. Akala mo you are in-love at lahat ng gawin mo tama. Lahat ng gawin mo perfect. Everything was magical...well, almost.
JIGS: Almost...?
YUMI: Sa next question mo na ?yan. Ako na.
JIGS: (Pabiro) Wine pa? Kulang ka pa yata e.
YUMI: Nilalasing mo ko no? May balak ka sa¹kin no? (Tatawa)
JIGS: Is that your question? Sasagutin ko na. (Tatawa)
YUMI: Engot. Hindi yon. Here¹s something na curious lang ako. Kasi I¹ve been hearing things...saka you¹ve hinted on it na rin kanina...Are you still with Krissy?
JIGS: Hindi na.YUMI: Since when?
JIGS: Two, maybe three weeks ago?
YUMI: Sino¹ng nakipag-break?
JIGS: Pareho kami.
YUMI: Why?
JIGS: Maraming dahilan, actually. Naisip na lang naming na it won¹t work. Isa na do¹n, magkaiba kami ng gustong mangyari sa buhay. Magkaiba kami ng mga pinaniniwalaan.
YUMI: Like what?
JIGS: Marami.
YUMI: At ngayon mo lang nalaman iyon after two years with her?
JIGS: People change, Yumi.Tahimik.
JIGS: Right before graduation, she asked me to move in with her.
YUMI: Talaga?
JIGS: Sabi niya, doon na naman din daw papunta ang relasyon namin. Might as well practice na raw for the real thing. Tutal, she¹s working na naman, ako naman bagong graduate, we should try out na raw living together if it¹ll work for us.
YUMI: Natakot ka sa arrangement?
JIGS: Hindi naman sa natakot. If you love someone, ano pa¹ng ikakatakot mo, di ba?
YUMI: E bakit umayaw ka?
JIGS: It¹s just that, it¹s not my thing.
YUMI: Sabi na nga ba e, bakla ka no? Sinasayang mo ang opportunities! (Matatawa)
JIGS: Hindi ako oportunista. At lalong hindi ako bakla.
YUMI: Fine.
JIGS: Naisip ko lang na hindi pa pala ako handa sa mga ganitong bagay. Wala pa sa isip ko ang gano¹n. Na-shock siguro ako sa reality na iyon na nga ang next step sa relationship namin. I mean, two years of being together and knowing each other, we¹re practically ready to get married, if you know what I mean. Pero I realized, I¹m not ready for any of these. Narealize ko how immature I am. Na iba yung ideals ko two years ago sa ideals ko ngayon. I need to mature some more to get into this thing'I mean, getting married. Diyos ko, ilang taon lang ba ako...
YUMI: Maturity has nothing to do with age.
JIGS: But it has a lot to do with time.
Tahimik.
JIGS: So I thought, bakit kailangan ng practice mode? Ibig sabihin, pag sumablay kami, split na kami? Live like a couple minus the commitment? Pa¹no pag nawala na yung magic? Goodbye na?
Iinom ng wine si Jigs.
JIGS: Kung kasal na, kasal na. Wala nang practice. I think that¹s the real cowardice. Yung i-try muna natin kung it will work kasi takot kayo na baka hindi maging successful ang outcome. Saan na napunta ang excitement ng buhay? Kaya nga kayo in-love, para sabay kayong humarap sa totoong buhay, sa hirap at ginahawa, di ba? (Matatawa) Hindi yung pagpapraktisan muna ninyo para siguradong ginhawa lang.Magkikibit-balikat lang si Jigs.
YUMI: Are you always like that?
JIGS: Like what?
YUMI: So cerebral in everything. Kahit pagdating sa relationships.
JIGS: Life is too precious para lang daanin sa trial and error.
Ngingiti si Jigs. Tahimik.
YUMI: So, No hard feelings?
JIGS: Friends pa rin kami. She still calls me up nga sa bahay e.
YUMI: That¹s nice.JIGS: Kayo, bakit kayo nagbreak ni Carlo?
YUMI: That¹s your sixth na ha?
JIGS: Sure.
YUMI: Alam mo, ironic para sa akin yung break-up naming ni Carlo. And the funny thing was, it was about...sex. Uy, sa atin lang ito ha?
JIGS: Of course.
YUMI: Kasi nga, I was looking for that magic nga di ba? I wanted to be in a relationship na special naman. So of all the boyfriends I had, sa kanya lang ako walang sexual relationship. As in nag-aabstain talaga ako. Kasi parang naisip ko, para magkaroon naman ng meaning yung ³making love² di ba? Parang, dapat di mo parating ginagawa, at ginagawa mo lang when you are sincere with yourself and with your partner. So I was investing muna emotionally. And I was actually starting to care about, him. Yung, hindi ko na iniisip yung sarili ko. Yung siya lang ang inaalala ko. Akala ko perfect na...
JIGS: Ano¹ng nangyari?
YUMI: Patunayan ko raw na mahal ko siya. Magbigay daw ako ng proof. Pagbigyan ko raw siya. Sabi ko sa kanya, hindi pa ba sapat na proof yon? Na I¹m saving myself for that right moment, that special moment between us? Alam mo¹ng ginawa? Nilayasan ako!
JIGS: You deserve someone better.
YUMI: Talaga!
YUMI: Isipin mo, kung kelan naman I grew tired of meaningless sex, when I¹m looking for the real thing, saka naman mawawala. Ang ironic ng buhay no?
JIGS: That¹s the way we must learn.
YUMI: Alam mo, kung tutuusin, never ko pang na-experience yung tunay na Mag make-love. And I had to go all through those relationships para lang ma-realize yun. At least, ngayon, alam ko na ang hinahanap ko.Iinom ng wine.
YUMI: Ikaw ba, importante sa¹yo na virgin ang mapapangasawa mo? How do you see virginity ba?
JIGS: Alam mo, di ko pa napag-isipan ?yan. Pero now that you¹ve mentioned it...It doesn¹t matter kung virgin ang mapangasawa ko o hindi. Of course I value virginity a lot. I treat it as the only real gift I could give to my wife to be. Imaginin mo na lang di ba, kung wife ko ang una ko. It¹s like the perfect wedding gift I could give to her. Pero kung siya hindi na virgin, I wouldn¹t care. As long as mahal ko siya. Kasi I don¹t expect her to give me the same gift. I don¹t do something because I expect people to do the same to me. Ibigay niya sa akin ang sarili niya nang buong-buo, sapat na sa akin yon. Masaya na ako sa ganoon.
YUMI: (Mapapangiti si Yumi.) You know, that¹s the nicest thing I ever heard from a guy. That¹s why I always enjoy talking to you. You always say the nicest things.
JIGS: Wow. Salamat. E ikaw, is making love to you equal to love?
YUMI: I always took sex and love as opposite ideas. I mean, after the first time na...you know. sa Senior prom. Kasi afterwards, we broke up na ni Robert. Tapos naisip ko, yun na ba yung love? Baka hindi love yung naramdaman ko. Baka napagkamalan ko lang siyang love. I was just after the pleasure of intimacy. And then I felt empty. So empty. That¹s why I wanted to change. I wanted to believe in ³making love.² And I¹m still looking for it.ung magic. Yung feeling mo, tao ka pala. I never felt that kahit isang beses. Men have penetrated my body but never my soul. And I wanted that. I wanted someone to touch my soul. To make love to my soul through my body. Pero siguro, naging numb na¹ko sa dami ng relasyong pinagdaanan ko. di ko alam kung mararanasan ko pa iyon. That¹s why I envy you.
Tahimik.
YUMI: Sa tingin mo may pag-asa pa ako?But, you still have your soul...(Ngingiti)
Tahimik.
YUMI: With whom would you want to experience it?
JIGS: Of course, sa asawa ko.
YUMI: I mean, someone in particular. Take it as my seventh question. So give a name.
JIGS: A name? Hindi ko alam. Basta kung sino angmagiging asawa ko.
Tahimik. Magkikibit-balikat si Yumi. Iinom ng wine.
JIGS: Well, I always thought na it was Krissy. And then, it was just gone. Of course I loved her. And I still do. Pero the magic was just gone after we both found out na magkaiba kami ng mga prinsipyo sa buhay.
Tahimik.
JIGS: My turn?
YUMI: Shoot me.
JIGS: Tell me something...a secret. Yung wala kahit isang nakakaalam.
Matagal na katahimikan.
JIGS: You trust me naman di ba?
YUMI: Well, you¹ve earned it, alright.
JIGS: Saka wala akong tinatago sa¹yo. Sinagot ko lahat ng tanong mo as honestly as I could.(Ngingiti)
YUMI: I uhm...
JIGS: Yes...?
YUMI: I need more wine.Magsasalin si Jigs ng wine.
JIGS: Take your time. We have less than fifty hours to go.
Iinom ng wine si Yumi.
YUMI: I¹ll tell you something no one in the world knowsexcept one other person. And that person probably forgot all about me already.
JIGS: (Pabiro) What? You had sex with a stranger?
YUMI: Ano ka ba?
JIGS: Biro lang. Seryoso na.
YUMI: Promise ha? Hindi ito lalabas.
JIGS: Promise.
YUMI: If this goes out, I will hunt you kahit sa libingan mo. Huhukayin kita at papatayin kita ulit.
JIGS: Mamatay man ako ngayon.
YUMI: Okay...(Pause) I...I was with Joel then...(Magiging mas seryoso ang tono niya) ...and Zach. I wasn¹t really with Zach, I was just going out with him pag wala si Joel, alam mo na...making out and stuff...Well, anyway, I was kinda serious din naman with Joel that time. Joel and I were...you know...doing it. And...
JIGS: And...?
YUMI: Uhm...I...uhm...I got pregnant.
JIGS: What?Tahimik.
Iinom ng wine si Yumi.
YUMI: I uhm...shit. Hindi ko naman talaga ginusto e. Uhm...Two months akong delayed...then I took that test. I found out na buntis nga ako...and Joel found out about Zach (maluha-luha na) and I didn¹t know what to say, you know? Maniniwala ba naman sa akin si Joel na naaliw lang ako kay Zach? Na I didn¹t really love him? Na wala lang iyon? And so he broke up with me and...I..uhm...I was afraid and uhm. (Magsisimula siyang magbreak-down)
JIGS: It¹s okay...
YUMI: I uhm...hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, Joel left me. I wanted to tell him about the baby to make him come back but I don¹t think he¹d believe me after the thing with Zach...and...my parents are gonna kill me if...shit. (iiyak)
JIGS: (lalapit kay Yumi para i-console ito) Ssshhh...you don¹t have to tell me this if it upsets you...YUMI: And so I went to a clinic...(hahagulgol) I didn¹t mean to, Jigs. I wasn¹t myself then. And I felt so afraid. So alone...
JIGS: Tahan na. Ssshhh...Iiyak lang si Yumi kay Jigs. Yayakapin ni Jigs siYumi.
JIGS: Alam ba to ni Joel?
YUMI: How can I tell him? The only other person na nakakaalam ay yung duktor sa clinic. God...(iiyak) Oh God...
JIGS: It¹s alright...
Hihimasin ni Jigs ang likod ni Yumi. Patatahanin niya ito. Matagal silang nakaganito lang. Matagal na katahimikan.
YUMI: Can you get me my yosi?Tatayo si Jigs. Pupunta sa may side table sa tabi ngkama. Kukunin ang Yosi ni Yumi. Magsisindi siya ng isa at iaabot kay Yumi.
YUMI:Thanks...Matagal na katahimikan.
YUMI: If we were...if we were the last two people on earth, would you consider doing it with me?JIGS: Doing what?
YUMI: Alam mo na...
JIGS: Alin? (Teasing ngingiti)
YUMI: Gago mo. (Ngingiti)
JIGS: Ngumiti rin.
YUMI: So? Would you?J
IGS: Alin nga? Di mo masabi no? Bakit di mo masabi? (Pagtatawanan si Yumi) Sabihin mo nga: Sex! Sex! Sex! Sex!
YUMI: Shut up nga!
JIGS: That¹s your eight na, ha?
YUMI: I lost count. Answer it.
JIGS: Why not?Hihithit ng yosi si Yumi. Tahimik.
Sasandal si Yumi sa balikat ni Jigs.
JIGS: If you could be something else, what would yoube?
YUMI: I dunno...maybe a violin...yeah. Violin siguro.
JIGS: Bakit?
YUMI: I always saw the relationship of a violin and its player as very intimate. Pag tumutugtog ang violinist, ang nakikita ko at naririnig ko, he strokes the soul of the instrument and the instrument penetrates the soul of the player. Para silang nagmi-make love. Di ba? Very sexy, very intimate, very sublime. Di ba? Pareho silang sincere sa isa¹t isa. Dahil kung hindi sila sincere, walang music na mabubuo. The violin surrenders her body to her player, her whole body and her whole soul, in full trust and sincerity. Di ba, compared to the sound of theother instruments, ang tunog ng violin parang isang naked woman? A naked woman in surrender? I want to be a violin. I want to be stroked in the soul. I want to make sincere music. I want to experience the sound of love.Tahimik.
JIGS: Lalim nun ah. (Ngingiti)
YUMI: Pa¹no mo malalamang in-love ka na?
JIGS: Paano? I don¹t think there¹s a formula to that. Basta malalaman mo na lang. I mean, ilang beses lang ba nangyari sa akin iyon? I¹d like to believe na yun na nga yon...yung kay Krissy...
YUMI: Kwento mo nga...paano mo narealize dati na mahal mo nga si Krissy?
JIGS: Alam mo nakakatawa...korni actually. Babalik na naman ako sa pagiging korni nito e. Di ba ayaw mo sa korni.
YUMI: Sige na. Hindi na kita aasarin.
JIGS: I heard bells.
YUMI: Ano?
JIGS: Seryoso. Bigla na lang, habang nag-uusap kami, may narinig na lang akong bells, tapos music. Ewan ko kung iniimagine ko lang iyon pero yunang nangyari. Nakakatawa nga e. Parang kanta ng Beatles.
YUMI: Seryoso ka ba?
JIGS: O baka naman nagkataon noong oras na yon, may nagkakantahan sa kung saan sa school. Basta may narinig akong bells. Tapos napangiti ako. Pagtingin ko sa mata niya, iba na ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko na siya nakita as kabarkada lang. Biglang parang may magic. Hindi ko ma-explain. Baduy pero ganun. Tapos I just seized the moment. Umamin ako. A week later, kami na.
YUMI: Korni nga. (Matatawa)
JIGS: Korni talagang pakinggan. Pero pag nandun ka na.Pag naranasan mo na, feeling mo, hindi na korni.
Ngingiti si Yumi. Tahimik.
YUMI: Alam mo, may times na parang tunog violin ang boses mo. O lasing lang ako?
Tahimik.
JIGS: I¹m into my last question.Iaangat ni Yumi ang ulo niya.
YUMI: Shoot me. Better make it good.
JIGS: If you were again to be the next victim of this tradition, if you were to be locked up in this room again...who would you want the next guy to be?
YUMI: (Mag-iisip) I want someone whom I could talk to... Yung makukwentuhan ko ng mga sikreto ko. Yung may sense makipag-usap. Yung may laman. The violin player who¹d stroke my strings...not even. Yung mapapatunog niya ang strings ko without even touching them. (Tahimik) Lumuluwag na ang dila ko...kung anu-ano na ang nasasabi ko. (Ngingiti)
Tititigan lang ni Jigs si Yumi. Tahimik.
YUMI: Siyempre yung masarap kausap.Tahimik. Hindi makatingin si Yumi.
YUMI: Yung kahit habambuhay wala kaming gawin kundi mag-usap. I think it¹s better than making love.Mapapatingin si Yumi kay Jigs.
YUMI: Gosh I want to kiss you so badly.
Matitigilan siya.
YUMI: I can¹t believe I just said that.
Tahimik. Titignan niya ulit si Jigs.
YUMI: Don¹t you want to kiss me?Pause. Titignan siya ni Jigs sa mata.
JIGS: Is that your last question? (Ngingiti si Jigs)
YUMI: Yes.