In the late '70s, I was in my early 20s; a newly baptized folk singer, trying to make a splash in the Olongapo City music scene. Freddie Aguilar was already there before me, he is one of the countless musicians who perform and sing for the American military in the city. In one of his gigs, I watched him admiringly as he played, sang and danced with unparalleled enthusiasm to his music. He was not as popular as he is today at that time; nevertheless, I'm his fan since day one. His song ''Anak'' which is already in his repertoire, struck me like a thunderbolt when I first heard. And maybe because we're both songwriters, we instantly became friends; although, to me, he's an older brother and a mentor. Someone who taught me a lot about love, life and music, performance, politics and women, to name a few.
By then, with the presence of US Military Base, Olongapo City was an interaction of two cultures: East and West in one small city. The union has no significant effect on Americans, nor on Filipinos, who can easily adapt to change. But for a young country boy like me. It was more than everything I dreamt of. I was intoxicated. Aside from drugs, liquors, gambling, casual, paid or free sex, which are available everywhere to everyone. The music alone is enough to blow my mind. Those and everything that a city of prostitution can offer can make anyone forget that time does exist.
Freddie and I shared the same passion, taste, and even vices. After our gigs, we usually go nightclubbing to drink and dance our hearts out until dawn. Where we go, we are the first to come and the last to leave. Moreover, whenever he has a date, he would see to it that his girlfriend brought one of her friends for me. I can still remember the smile on his face, as if saying that it's up to you now, just before we enter our hotel rooms with our dates after getting drunk in one or two of those nightclubs.
In one of those escapades, while we are on our way to a hotel (it was past midnight and nearly dawn) four sturdy looking men blocked our way. One of them angrily pointed his finger at Freddie and said, ''There he is, the guy who stole my girl''. And with both fists closed, they all eagerly moved closer to Freddie, ready to strike. I am not a courageous person, but I guess I am not much a coward either. Because, sensing the danger, my instant reaction was not to seek for the safe place but to help and defend my friend. Without thinking and foolishly disregarding my own safety, I moved to block their path. Instantly, one of those men abruptly delivered a punch to my chest that sent me a few feet away and into the ground. Moreover, as I lay helpless and in pain, I saw two or three of them moving towards me to add some more injuries. But before it could happen. A soft pair of arms of a woman embraced me, covered and shielded me with her body, and with tears in her eyes shouted and begged the oppressors not to add more harm because it's not me whom they are after. There must be some powers in her tears because it deviates the attacker's attention back to Freddie, who amazingly was able to evade all the attacks. I watched them chased him circling around, as if playing a merry-go-round, in one of those big posts at “Magsaysay Drive”.
I totally forgot what had happened next. How we managed to reach our hotel rooms still breathing, and ready to do “the final chapter of the night”. What I still remember is that when we turned off the light, I was in a hurry. Tired, drunk and still having a chest pain, I wanted to go to sleep; but I am in a hotel room with a woman, and I thought that I had an obligation to give her what she wanted. However, while I was on top of her undressing and undressing her, kissing and caressing her all in fast movements; as if it were a rush hour, and I still have to finish a job. I noticed that she was so quiet, so I slowed down and in darkness I searched for her face. I looked at her, and I was astounded, because tears filled her eyes.
In one of those escapades, while we are on our way to a hotel (it was past midnight and nearly dawn) four sturdy looking men blocked our way. One of them angrily pointed his finger at Freddie and said, ''There he is, the guy who stole my girl''. And with both fists closed, they all eagerly moved closer to Freddie, ready to strike. I am not a courageous person, but I guess I am not much a coward either. Because, sensing the danger, my instant reaction was not to seek for the safe place but to help and defend my friend. Without thinking and foolishly disregarding my own safety, I moved to block their path. Instantly, one of those men abruptly delivered a punch to my chest that sent me a few feet away and into the ground. Moreover, as I lay helpless and in pain, I saw two or three of them moving towards me to add some more injuries. But before it could happen. A soft pair of arms of a woman embraced me, covered and shielded me with her body, and with tears in her eyes shouted and begged the oppressors not to add more harm because it's not me whom they are after. There must be some powers in her tears because it deviates the attacker's attention back to Freddie, who amazingly was able to evade all the attacks. I watched them chased him circling around, as if playing a merry-go-round, in one of those big posts at “Magsaysay Drive”.
I totally forgot what had happened next. How we managed to reach our hotel rooms still breathing, and ready to do “the final chapter of the night”. What I still remember is that when we turned off the light, I was in a hurry. Tired, drunk and still having a chest pain, I wanted to go to sleep; but I am in a hotel room with a woman, and I thought that I had an obligation to give her what she wanted. However, while I was on top of her undressing and undressing her, kissing and caressing her all in fast movements; as if it were a rush hour, and I still have to finish a job. I noticed that she was so quiet, so I slowed down and in darkness I searched for her face. I looked at her, and I was astounded, because tears filled her eyes.
Shocked and bewildered, I asked her why. She said that maybe the reason I am treating her like a prostitute because I am thinking that she is not a virgin. '' Are you a virgin? '', in disbelief, I asked her. When she nodded and whispered yes, that was enough for me. It paralyzed and froze my entire body; including that part, which was already very eager and extremely hot. I was not ready for any more surprises, I went to sleep.
She was still in bed when I awoke, looking at me with sad and curious eyes. So I told her that, while I only play love games and am not the marrying kind, I have a lot of respect for ladies who maintain and safeguard their virginity for their future spouses.
Before we parted ways, I told her that if she wanted to spoil her life, she should not begin with me.
I assumed it was the last time I would see her. Nonetheless, she returned to the folk house where I originally met her a few days later.
She sat at the farthest table from the stage until my last set.
My mentor and experience taught me that if a lady watched me perform all night till the last set, that woman is mine, and I can take her wherever I want.(Of course, I had that opportunity; I did not take it, and I have no regrets.) So I went to her table just to be courteous and to express my thanks for everything she had done and would do for me.
She was still in bed when I awoke, looking at me with sad and curious eyes. So I told her that, while I only play love games and am not the marrying kind, I have a lot of respect for ladies who maintain and safeguard their virginity for their future spouses.
Before we parted ways, I told her that if she wanted to spoil her life, she should not begin with me.
I assumed it was the last time I would see her. Nonetheless, she returned to the folk house where I originally met her a few days later.
She sat at the farthest table from the stage until my last set.
My mentor and experience taught me that if a lady watched me perform all night till the last set, that woman is mine, and I can take her wherever I want.(Of course, I had that opportunity; I did not take it, and I have no regrets.) So I went to her table just to be courteous and to express my thanks for everything she had done and would do for me.
She is probably seventeen to eighteen years old; and she is wearing the casual wear that really makes a woman so attractive in my eyes: Faded Levi's and a white shirt that with the help of artificial candle-light enhances the curves of her body. Some stars seem to be shining in her eyes, and she looks happy. And with her brown skin, long straight hair, expressive eyes; she's every inch a woman. As the demon in me was awakened and ridicules the absurdity of my morals; she looked at me, smiled, and seductively told me to not worry, because she will not ruin her life.
I will not tell you whether we did have sex and finish what we had started; whether we went to that same hotel which was not so far away from where we were; whether I did it gently; and whether she is indeed a virgin. All I can say is that before I went to bed that night, it occurred to me that maybe I should break my promise not to get married; and that maybe, I should raise a family with the help of someone like her. But maybe I should have told her what was on my mind; because after that night, I never saw her again, and I don't even know her name.
