Amy Adams and Gal Gadot

Early in May this year (2017), one of my dearest friends and I talked about superhero films.  Jho is already a golden gurrl.  We planned to watch Wonder Woman together (we did on June 4).  Wonder Woman opened in Philippine theaters on June 1.

Jho mentioned the person playing Wonder Woman in the films Man of Steel and Batman v Superman.  Wonder Woman is not part of Man of Steel.

Jho said, “Yung gumanap na Wonder Woman, si Amy A… (The one who played Wonder Woman, Amy A)…”

“What?!” was my reply before he could finish his sentence.

“Amy Adams,” he finished nevertheless.

Jho misattributed Amy Adams.

Amy Adams played Lois Lane in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman.  Gal Gadot played Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman and Wonder Woman.  The two women will reprise their roles in the upcoming Justice League movie.

No matter how fresh our memories are, we can still make mistakes.  What more with old memories that happened decades ago?

Memory errors are not as uncommon as some might think.  That is why it is important to document stuff as they happen.

My gurrl friend made a mistake.  That is no cause for committing herr to an asylum.  Didn’t you forget your keys at some point in your life?

To err is human, to forget more so.

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I asked permission from Jho before publishing this.

Atheists and the Faithful

One of my brothers called a few hours ago, looking for our mother.  Mama was asleep, so they never got to talk.

I haven’t seen or heard from him in around 3 years.

My brother just asked how I was doing and asked about my “spiritual life.”

I matter-of-factly told him I don’t have a spiritual life since I’m an atheist, a gay atheist.

“Who influenced you to be an atheist?  I would like to have a word with them,” my brother coolly said.  He’s one of my two born-again brothers.

“Nobody influenced me.  I just woke up one day not believing.”

“Ah okay,” was his reply.

My brother did not broach the issue (because there is none).

We grew up in a syncretic household: Buddhist from our Chinese side, Catholic from our Filipino side.

As Christians, we were raised Catholic.  But I went to a born-again school (grade and high school), so I became a fundamentalist for a long time while carrying the Catholic label (I was never baptized in any other church or faith).  The university I attended is Catholic.  I had my medical internship in an Adventist hospital.

I read atheist stuff after the fact, i.e., I was already an atheist before I read anything about it.

Religion or faith may be an issue, but not in our household.  We live and let live.  We give and take points of views.

Syncretism is not exactly an ideal setup.  I guess we’ve just grown old enough to understand or respect our differences, our humanity.

Organ Playing

Mama saw a man playing the organ in a segment of Eat Bulaga!, the longest running noontime show in the Philippines.  The segment is called All for Juan, Juan for All: Bayanihan of d’ Pipol.

Juan or Juana dela Cruz is the placeholder name for Filipinos.  Bayan is quite generic and means a town, community or country.  Bayanihan means working together for a common goal, for the good of the bayan.

In the show segment, a Juan or Juana from a less fortunate area in the Philippines is chosen and showered with gifts that include cash.

Today’s Juan has an organ in his home and showed his skill in playing the musical instrument to the hosts of the segment.

As the lucky Juan played the organ, Mama asked if I could still play the instrument.

I replied, “Not anymore, Ma.  I haven’t played the organ in decades.  I can’t even read a note these days.”

I then asked Mama the fate of our Yamaha organ.  Mama said it’s kept by my eldest brother.  The organ is being used by my niece who loves music and gives piano lessons.

Mama did not ask for encore, but I gave it anyhow.  I told her, “When I was young, I enjoyed playing the organ without the organ enjoying my playing it.  Now, the organs and notes I play with apparently enjoy my playing with them.”

Mama laughed silently this time, turning her head left and right.

Ready to Go

Last week, after our high school plenty-first reunion and after watching the Wonder Woman movie, I felt ready to leave the world and rest in peace.  I somehow feel the same way still.  I guess I’m just happy.

I texted the same exact words to one of my dearest friends at twilight today.

My friend replied and said it’s good I’m ready to go.

I sent her another text:

Just for now.  Next week, I will be a loony again.

My dear friend sent me a hearty “Hahaha.”