In Memoriam: Dr. Cirilo Bautista

While our memories remain intact, free from Alzheimer’s or any neurologic effects, we remember the words of people who matter.

More than two decades ago, I had to take American Literature as part of the requirements in my bachelor’s degree.  The subject was a major elective.

My AmerLit professor was Dr. Cirilo Bautista, national artist for literature.

Many, if not most, of my classmates were philosophy majors.  My goodness, philosophy students were very eloquent, bright, and they never ran out of reasons.

In one of our classes, Dr. Bautista asked us why the Americans were so open about sex, especially in literature wherein they seemed so sexually active.  I forgot the exact novel or short fiction we were discussing.

The philo majors gave endless reasons.  Everyone of them seemed to outdo each other, unintentionally of course.  I felt I was with graduate students discussing their theses.

I kept quiet in class most of the time.  I liked reading but not discussing.

To my surprise, Dr. Bautista called me.

I am a Pink Archer, but my mind is green, ever and ever.  So, I replied, “Racial integration.”

Dr. Bautista asked, “What about it?”

“The black body was curious with the white body, and the white body was curious with the black body.  So they had sex.”

The class gave an uproarious laugh.  And yes, including our beloved Dr. Bautista.

When the class quieted down, Dr. Bautista told me something I shall never forget, “I like how you think.”

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In loving memory of

Dr. Cirilo F. Bautista

National Artist for Literature

Ides and Endings

Ides (pronounced as “eye” connected to “ds” – sounds a little like the dreaded AIDS)

In Ancient Rome, the ides falls approximately on the middle part of the month.  Ides is English.  The Latin original is “idus” which is both plural and singular, so ides can be used with either a singular or a plural verb.  The ides falls on the 15th in March, May, July, and October.  It falls on the 13th in other months, so today (April 13) is the Ides of April.

The Ides of March (March 15) is notorious for the murder of Julius Caesar.  The famous line “et tu, Brute? (even you, Brutus?)” (Caesar 3.1.77) from William Shakepeare’s play Julius Caesar originated from this pivotal date in Roman history.

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Men in Ancient Rome usually have -us at the end of their name, e.g., Marcus, Aurelius, et al, and many have the same name.  If you shouted “Marcus” in a crowd, you would see many heads turning in your direction.  Women have -a at the end of their name, e.g., Tullia, Lucretia, et al.

Latin is a dead language but it has daughter languages still living today like Italian, French, and Spanish.  These derivatives share many traits with their original.

In Spanish, the -us ending has become -o, e.g., Marco, Aurelio, et al.  The feminine -a ending of Latin is retained in Spanish, e.g., Maria, Aurelia, et al.

Marius becomes Mario or Maria in Spanish.  Antonius becomes Antonio or Antonia, and so on.

If I want to Latinize my name, it would become Robertus or Roberta.

One can be creative in giving new names or words with Latin endings -us and -a.

You can name your pug “saratilongus” or “saratilonga.” (sarat ilong = flat-nosed)

You can call an ugly man “pangitmotolus” (pangit mo, ‘tol  = you’re ugly, bro).  You get the gist.

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sarat = Filipino word that usually refers to a deformed or flat nose

ilong = nose

pangit = ugly

mo = “you” in the objective case

‘tol = short for utol = sibling

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Shakespeare, William. “Julius Caesar.”  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.  Ed. W.J. Craig.  London: Henry Pordes, 1987.  899.

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Originally posted on my Facebook wall on 13 April 2018 in a slightly different form.

Viri Regnantes (Reigning Men)

fiat lux.  Let there be light.

fiat homo.  Let there be man.

multi viri magna cum pulchritudine sunto.  There shall be many men with great beauty.

itaque quidam homines delectabilissimi sunt (And so, some men are very delectable), e.g., Derrick Monasterio, Josh Hutcherson, Taylor Frey, Nick Robinson, et al.

The Latin Werpa

Adult language and discourse.  Please be guided accordingly.

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The Latin word “verpa” is pronounced werpa, just like the Filipino slang “werpa.”  The two words mean different things, however.  The Filipino werpa is a reversal of the transliteration of the English word “power” and simply means power.  Filipinos say “werpa” to show support, essentially saying “more power to you!”  The Latin werpa means penis.

Verpa is a noun.  The adjective “verpus” (pronounced werpus) means circumcised.  Verpa, the noun, does not exactly refer to a circumcised penis.  It also means erect penis protruding from the foreskin.  In short, verpa may mean uncircumcised or “supot” as we call it in Filipino, although this (supot) was not exactly the thing alluded to in Ancient Rome.  Verpa, found on graffitis then, commonly referred to the penis as the insertor in anal intercourse or the receiver of oral sex.

Nouns and adjectives in Latin have gender: masculine, feminine and neuter. 

Verpa, while meaning penis, is a feminine word.  “Cunnus” means vulva and yet is a masculine word.  English uses natural gender to classify nouns, i.e., penis is naturally masculine, vulva is naturally feminine, etc.  Biology helps determine gender.  Latin uses grammatical gender, i.e., gender is pre-assigned, and one has to memorize to know which classification a word belongs to.

“Penis” as we know it in English is also a Latin word, and its gender is masculine.  “Vagina” is also Latin and is feminine.  Natural gender may be the same as grammatical gender but is not always the case in Latin.

That’s all for now, folks!

More werpa to you.

Pride and Prejudice

Years ago, I met a guy at a wake who made my heart flutter.  He is related to the dead person, so he served food and drinks to guests.  Of course, I and my gay friends chatted with him.  He is dark and handsome but quite short (he is not taller than I, and I am by no means tall).  I got his number.  Why would I let the chance go?  It was – still is – rare for my heart to be affected more than my loins.

I later learned his residence was not far from mine.  Since then, I would notice him – I never did before – when he walked along the street.  We texted.  I asked him for a date.  His response was not cold but not very promising.  He was afraid to date another guy, apparently.  People tend to think I am banging the guy I am with at the moment, so I guess he avoided that reputation.

During those times I saw him walking (alone or with company), he would give me lingering looks.  A glance that takes too long is not a glance.  That is a stare.  I had wondered if he wanted my wit, my body or my money.  I am poor so it had to be my body.

Nevertheless, I am not getting any younger so I had to finish things quickly and tactfully.  So, I texted him for the last time.  The text went like this:

At my age, I have learned to be direct with men I like.  If I wanted to have sex, just sex and nothing else, I would have told you upfront.  But, I was enamored beyond even my own expectation.  That night at the wake, I saw you smile for the first time and the spell was cast.  You can not seem to decide if you will go out with me.  Let us not go out anymore.  You are not ready, apparently.  Maybe someday you will find comfort in your own desires.  Desiring your kind is something you will learn to embrace one day.  I hope.  We shall talk about it over coffee when the time comes.  I am just here.  Take care.

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Originally posted in my high school Facebook page, early this year, in a slightly different form.