Sands of Time

When I was in college, my teacher asked me if I can identify all the possible gender classifications of humans.

I said, there are three possible genders: male, female and the third sex.

She frowned. "Actually there are five," she said. "Heterosexual male, heterosexual female, bisexual, homosexual, and trans-sexual."

According to her, the heterosexual male and female are the ones we call straight. Homosexuals, of course, include the gays and lesbians. Bisexuals are somewhere in between heterosexuals and homosexuals. (That one got me confused. If homosexuality is somewhere in between the heterosexual male and female, and bisexuality is in between heterosexual and homosexual, then where is the distinction between the bisexuals, heterosexuals and homosexuals?) My teacher said it has something to do with the general preference. Heterosexuals choose the opposite. Homosexuals choose the people of the same gender. Bisexuals choose either of the two opposing heterosexual genders.

Of course, the last gender is the trans-sexuals, where people actually spend money just to have their privates changed.

How about metrosexuality? Do we classify it as a gender?

The answer would be NO. Metrosexuality is a lifestyle and not a sexual preference. You can be heterosexual and metrosexual at the same time. Probably a good example would be Albert Martinez. I (in my own opinion) would classify him as a metrosexual because of his lifestyle of vanity. Most commercial models are metrosexuals. (Also, it does not necessarily follow that all metrosexuals are heterosexuals... most are either gay or bi.)

Now, the question is: Is metrosexuality limited to biological males only? I would guess, probably. Females are designed in a manner that they have an innate sense of style and fashion, vanity and beauty. Males, however, are designed to be rough, rude and tough... or at least that's what society dictates. But as time passes by, realizations about gender and vanity occurs. The 'rough-riding cowboy' is no longer the image projected in masculine eau de toilette ads, but the narcissistic images of Apollo-like men.

Christmas approached, arrived and departed without a sound. If I am going to make a crude survey of our small town, these will be the results:

Out of 100 households,

10 will have Christmas lights dangling from trees at the front yard

25 will have lanterns of any kind

17 will have Christmas trees of any kind

91 will say "Patawad" upon hearing the jingling of the home-made tambourine

50 will actually wake up at midnight and have Noche Buena

5 will have Christmas hams and/or Queso de Bola


Out of 100 godparents,

10 will actually buy gifts

1 will give 500 PhP

19 will give more than 100 PhP but less than 500 PhP

22 will give more than 50 PhP but less than 100 PhP

41 will give less than 50 PhP

7 will leave their houses


Out of 100 godchildren,

90 will receive money of any amount

10 will receive gifts from their godparents

It all started when he caught her staring at him.  Of course, she looked away and was pondering whether he really saw her staring or he was just picking out a friend from the huge crowd.  The staring did not stop there.  He is too, well, good to look at.  Simply addicting.

The evening came and she went outside to get some fresh air.  To her surprise, she saw him advancing to her position.  Someone from her room is his acquaintance.  The three of them sat down.  A few minutes later, three more people joined in.  They began talking but no interaction between him and her is happening. Just glances, stares and look aways.  A few minutes more and the ice finally melted.  He is the one who opened up the line by noticing her shirt.  They exchanged not only glances, but thoughts and smiles as well.  Exhausted from yawning, she can bo longer hide her need to sleep and thus she went to bed.

When she woke up, the first thing she did is take a bath, brush her teeth and walk to the hall.  She saw him and he saw her.  He smiled, she did the same.  But that was all.  The vehicles are already loading up with passengers.  She is going South, he is from the North.  With one last glance she bid him a silent farewell knowing nothing but the first three letters of his name.

I am quite aware that thousands (even millions) of Filipinos watch Pinoy Big Brother.  I do!  Yes, I am one of those Filipinos who stay up late just to get a glimpse of the life inside Big Brother's House.  But I don't waste my money buying vote cards just to save my favorite housemate (if any).  I am just an ordinary couch potato who loves to waste time watching television.

Ang Teleserye ng Totoong Buhay.  The first night I got a glimpse of the housemates, I said to myself: This is going to be very interesting!  But when a voice boomed from the speakers, instructing each individual about tasks, assignments and everything (literally 'playing God'), I said to myself: This is so disappointing!  I am aware that PBB has its set of rules that the housemates must follow.  But to use a line saying TELESERYE NG TOTOONG BUHAY is rather misleading.  Is real life about being forced to wake up early?  How about taking a bath at a preset time?  This is not a real life!  This is a reality TV but not reality per se!

And what's with Sam?  If only televisions can spit out the words, our entire living room will be flooded by his name.  I am not angry at Sam.  I get annoyed by the fact that he is becoming a commodity (literally).  Sam, LIVE!  Sam taking a phone call from his admirers.  Once in a lifetime photo shoot with Sam.  Sam this, Sam that, even Sam shirts!  What's next?  They will sell vials of his sweat or something?  I am so sorry to say this but he is becoming a huge milking cow.  I just hope he won't turn into some scrapped artist when he's all dried up (like the Power Boys, TV Idol, etc.).

***

Why am I still watching PBB, you say?  I am still a viewer and same as you, I want to know who will win.  And besides, the reality doesn't stop inside Big Brother's house.  The 'teleserye ng totoong buhay' begins once a housemate steps out of the house.  I want to see how stars fall!  (By the way, I don't hate the network, I just don't like to see people being used.)

The person two seats to my right is having a video-conference with a man.  Since the girl is literally shouting at the top of her lungs, I found out that the man is her husband-to-be.  It's like listening to a classic piano piece.  Her voice goes from staccato to piano then forte.

I really don't care what people do with their lives as long as I am not affected.  And this time, I am.  She is so noisy, my hands tremble whenever I want click the mouse.  She is giving me a headache.  I wanted to shout, WILL YOU KEEP IT LOW!  But I realized that it won't be right.  So I am typing this short entry as an outlet for my screaming, agonizing headache.

I think it is better to just leave.

***

Whenever I ride the bus on my way to Manila, there is 90% chance that someone's cellphone will ring, maximum volume!  And there is a 95% chance that the receiver will talk on the phone so loud that all passengers will figure out the entire conversation.