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| Angel Locsin |
A couple of years ago, while I'm watching the movie "American Beauty", I didn't expect that it will soon become one of the most inspiring movies that I have seen. One of the lead stars, Annette Bening, is my favorite actress; but she is not the reason why the movie is unforgettable to me. It was the main plot or twist of the story, a similar strange situation that I experienced many years ago; and it happened even long before, I believe, that movie was conceived.
Late seventies, I was in my early twenties and a newly baptized folk singer who is trying to make waves in the music scene of Olongapo City. “Freddie Aguilar” was already there ahead of me, already an established musician who entertain the American servicemen in the city. In one of his gigs, I watched him in awe as he play, sing, and dance to his music. Of course at that time, he was not popular as he is today; Nevertheless, I am his fan since day one. His song ''Anak'' which he already play and sing at that time struck me like a thunderbolt when I first heard. And maybe because both of us are songwriters, we instantly became friends; although, I treated him more like a big brother and mentor. He taught me many things: love, life, music, performance, politics, women.
By then, with the presence of U. S. bases, Olongapo was an interaction of two cultures: East and West in one small city. The change has no significant effect on Americans neither on Filipinos who can easily adopt to change. But to a young country boy like me, I was intoxicated; the music alone is enough to blow my mind aside from drugs, liquors, gambling, casual paid or free sex which are available everywhere to everyone. Those and everything a city of prostitution could offer could make anyone forget that Time does exist.
Freddie and I shared the same passion, taste, and even vices. After our gigs, we usually go to a nightclub to drink and dance our hearts out until dawn. Moreover, when he had a date, he would see to it that his girlfriend brought one of her friends for me. I can still remember the smile in his face, as if saying that it's up to me 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 were on our way to a hotel (it was past midnight and nearly dawn) four sturdy looking men blocked our way. One of them pointed his finger at Freddie and said, ''Here, he is the guy who stole my girl''. And with fist closed, they all moved closer to Freddie all eager and ready to strike. I am not a courageous person, but I guess I am not much a coward either, because my instant reaction was to help and defend my friend. Without thinking and foolishly disregarding my own safety, I moved to block their path. And one of those men hit me with his fist in the chest and it sent me 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. However, 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 that it is not me whom they are after. And there must be some powers in her tears, because it deviate the attacker's attention back to Freddie who amazingly was able to evade any attack. I watched them chased him circling around as if playing a merry go round in one of those big post at "Magsaysay Drive".
I totally forgot what had happened next and 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 have 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 was a job; I noticed that she was so quite. So I slowed down and in darkness I look into her face, and I was taken aback when I saw that her eyes were filled with tears.
By then, with the presence of U. S. bases, Olongapo was an interaction of two cultures: East and West in one small city. The change has no significant effect on Americans neither on Filipinos who can easily adopt to change. But to a young country boy like me, I was intoxicated; the music alone is enough to blow my mind aside from drugs, liquors, gambling, casual paid or free sex which are available everywhere to everyone. Those and everything a city of prostitution could offer could make anyone forget that Time does exist.
Freddie and I shared the same passion, taste, and even vices. After our gigs, we usually go to a nightclub to drink and dance our hearts out until dawn. Moreover, when he had a date, he would see to it that his girlfriend brought one of her friends for me. I can still remember the smile in his face, as if saying that it's up to me 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 were on our way to a hotel (it was past midnight and nearly dawn) four sturdy looking men blocked our way. One of them pointed his finger at Freddie and said, ''Here, he is the guy who stole my girl''. And with fist closed, they all moved closer to Freddie all eager and ready to strike. I am not a courageous person, but I guess I am not much a coward either, because my instant reaction was to help and defend my friend. Without thinking and foolishly disregarding my own safety, I moved to block their path. And one of those men hit me with his fist in the chest and it sent me 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. However, 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 that it is not me whom they are after. And there must be some powers in her tears, because it deviate the attacker's attention back to Freddie who amazingly was able to evade any attack. I watched them chased him circling around as if playing a merry go round in one of those big post at "Magsaysay Drive".
I totally forgot what had happened next and 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 have 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 was a job; I noticed that she was so quite. So I slowed down and in darkness I look into her face, and I was taken aback when I saw that her eyes were filled with tears.
Shocked and bewildered, I asked her why. She said that maybe I was treating her like a whore because I thought that she is not a virgin. '' Are you a virgin? '', in disbelief I surprisingly 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.
When I woke up, she was still in bed quietly glancing at me with sad and curious eyes. So I explained to her that although I only play love games and not a marrying type, I have high respect for women who keep and protect their virginity for their would be husbands. And before we parted, I told her that if she wanted to ruin her life; she should not start with me.
I thought that that was it and I would not see her again. Nevertheless, few days later she came to the folk house where I play at and where I first met her. She chose the farthest table from the stage and quietly sat there until my last set. My mentor and my experience taught me that if a woman watched me sing all night up to the last set, that woman is mine and I can take her wherever I want. (Of course, I already had that chance, I did not grab it, and I have no regrets). So just for the sake of being polite and my gratitude to what she did and willingly would do for me, I went to her table.
When I woke up, she was still in bed quietly glancing at me with sad and curious eyes. So I explained to her that although I only play love games and not a marrying type, I have high respect for women who keep and protect their virginity for their would be husbands. And before we parted, I told her that if she wanted to ruin her life; she should not start with me.
I thought that that was it and I would not see her again. Nevertheless, few days later she came to the folk house where I play at and where I first met her. She chose the farthest table from the stage and quietly sat there until my last set. My mentor and my experience taught me that if a woman watched me sing all night up to the last set, that woman is mine and I can take her wherever I want. (Of course, I already had that chance, I did not grab it, and I have no regrets). So just for the sake of being polite and my gratitude to what she did and willingly would do for me, I went to her table.
She was probably seventeen to eighteen years old; and she wore that casual wear which really makes a woman so attractive in my eyes: Faded Levi's and white shirt, which with the help of artificial candle-light enhances the curves of her body. Some stars are seems 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 awaken and ridicules the absurdity of my morals, she looked at me, smiled, and seductively said that I do not have to 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 is just few steps away from where we were; whether I do it gently; and whether she is indeed a virgin. All I can say is that before I went to sleep that night, it came to my mind that maybe I should break my vow not to marry; and that maybe, I should raise a family with the help of someone like her. But maybe I should have told her what was in my mind; because after that night, I never saw her again and I don't even know her name.
ArlenKaliFuentes
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I will not tell you whether we did have sex and finish what we had started; whether we went to that same hotel which is just few steps away from where we were; whether I do it gently; and whether she is indeed a virgin. All I can say is that before I went to sleep that night, it came to my mind that maybe I should break my vow not to marry; and that maybe, I should raise a family with the help of someone like her. But maybe I should have told her what was in my mind; because after that night, I never saw her again and I don't even know her name.
ArlenKaliFuentes
Follow on Buzz
