A Question of Taste

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Filipinos looooooove music. They loooooove Kareoke (maybe more than Koreans, gasp!) They loooooove corny love songs, and I'm not just talking about the ladies. I've seen bulky fishermen crooning like their dog has died. It's great, but sometimes it's enough to drive you crazy!

Ghay loves my ipod. It's 30Gb and has all kinds of genres. But of course, there's always those songs that you have, but you only listen to them once in a blue moon. Almost like a joke, or as a fun random song with your friends to remind you of the ole days. Well....I have been listening to those 4 songs of Britney Spears, 6 songs of Celine Dion, and 9 songs of Mariah Carey NONSTOP for the last 3 months. When Ghay picks up the ipod, call I can do is beg..."Please, please not Celine again!" It's so funny to see these "macho" men go starry eyed for a love song.

Funny story: One night, I was walking home late with Ghay and the boat captain, Reggie. The front gate was open, and I was like "Ummm, why is this open? Did someone go in?" Nervous-like. Ghay and Reggie both immediately go into killer mode, with glowering eyebrows and taut muscles. I'm a little afraid of them!

I'm instructed to stay put. I hover anxiously by the gate while Reggie picks up a stick and, arms flexed, sneaks around the side of the house. Ghay creeps up to the door, softly unlocks it, and emerges with a butcher knife in hand. He circles around the house too. Finally, the two come back and shurg. Probably just the dog. What the--?! All that for a dog!? Little did we know then that all of the neighbors were using that gate to leave at will. Ghay had a talkin-to with some of the men - private property now!! Keep out! It's all good after that.

It gets better. We head inside. The boys want to drink some beer and they ask for music. So I try to pick some manly music, appropriate for the current vibe in the air. Snoop Dog. The boys bob their heads a few minutes and then ask, "Is this Eminem?" Um, no.

A minute later, Ghay comes in and say, "Is it okay if we listen to Celine? Reggie loves her." I look out the door and Reggie nods solemnly, sucking on his cigarette. I sigh. Okay, sure. I get a kiss, and a "Thank you baby." Then they both lay there with these ridiculous grins on their faces talking about how "The Power of Love" is just so beautiful.

I just had to share this surreal, yet very indicative, moment with you.



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