Things I learned from Maximo

I turned 26 years old last Monday. Careerwise, I have so much to thank God for this year. First, I'm thankful for the continuous opportunity to write this weekly column (hopefully you are still reading me). Then a few months ago, I started writing for Banat Entertainment. It is not only fun but a learning experience as well since it makes me bi-lingual now. Third, I have made it to the core group of The Freeman Foundation wherein getting in touch with less fortunate children keeps me grounded and humble. Fourth, I clinched this year's Gayest of the Press, a definite boost to my confidence. Fifth, I'm grateful for the support of my family and friends. Lastly, I'm thankful for the positive feedbacks I get from readers young and old alike that truly inspire me to always write from the heart. By God's grace, in the year 2006, I hope to land a career in television to learn more and push myself to the limits.

Now, you may ask: how about love life? Well, I would say I am always inspired. I am 26 years old but I feel I'm still sweet 16 these days. Gosh! I have so many "kilig" moments that I can't help but smile especially when I am alone, reminding me of the movie "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros." I watched it with a good friend last week and we both enjoyed it so much. Directed by Aureus Solito and distributed in the country by Star Cinema, it is such a good, family-oriented movie with a lot of lessons.

It tells the story of Maximo (or "Maxi" for short, who was played by Nathan Lopez), a 12-year- old gay and youngest in a brood of three. His two elder brothers with their father are petty criminals-snatchers to be specific. Maxi does the household chores and it's amazing how his family accepts and supports his being gay. At first, everything goes well for Maxi, who after his chores, would go out with gay teeners, and watch movies of Claudine Barretto, compete in a Miss Gay Contest at a friend's house, or goes around the neighborhood to sell jai-alai numbers.

One time, he comes home late and as he passes through a dark and dirty alley leading to his home in the slums, two boys grab him and begin undressing him. He would have been raped if not for the arrival of his knight in shining armor in the person of Victor (JR Valentin). For that, Maxi falls for the handsome policeman and his world revolve around him. Maxi would cook for him, keep him company and other things a teen-ager would do to someone special.

But everything has to come to an end. A new police chief gets installed and Victor gets to head a special unit that would aggressively pursue criminals. At this junction, a 16-year-old boy gets killed after being robbed of his mobile phone. Maxi has an idea who is the culprit-his brother. At this time, serious policeman Victor, gets the ire of Maxi's father because their business is becoming affected by the former's intervention. Victor then tries to penetrate the underworld via Maxi to unearth vital information. Maxi now finds himself caught between his love for his family and for infatuation for Victor. To whose side should he be?

To make the story short, the cops arrest the other brother of Maxi, after mistaking him as the one responsible for the death of the 16-year-old. Then the police chief kills his father, which Maxi witnesses from afar. The brother detained gets released eventually and they start all over again. In the end, his brothers send Maxi back to school.

The ending of the movie shows Maxi passing by Victor who is waiting for him beside the road. For Maxi, Victor has become a part of his past; his admiration for him gone. Actually, I love it so much because it tells us that teenagers should prioritize school rather than the matters of the heart.

In general, the movie teaches us that members of the third sex should not be ridiculed but rather be embraced with open arms for them to excel. We are humans too. We have the privilege to choose what we want and whom we want to be with. To parents, don't curtail your son's liberty. If he shows gay tendencies then let him be. Never subject him to physical abuse or other forms of humiliation.

My personal observation is that the more a gay child is battered and controlled, the more he grows up rebellious. The sad thing is that he pretends to be masculine in front of you when in reality he is not. Then it becomes a sin because both of you would be living in a world of deception and lies. Being gay is not a curse-it's a gift. All you have to do is nurture support and mold your gay son to become a better person. Show him the way-instead of blocking his path-because his success is yours too.

On the personal side, Maximo reminded me of my own teen years. I was 14 years old when I had a crush on someone whom I really did not expect would become a very good friend today. I would be jealous over girlfriend and the women he'd be dating. But, of course, I know where I stand in his heart. We had misunderstandings every now and then but these can be patched up in less than 24 hours. I tried to forget him many times but to no avail. I have just realized that no matter how many times I go out on dates, at the end of the day, it is still him whom I want to be with. He means so much to me that a simple "hi" from him would never fail to brighten my day.

An engineer by profession, my crush remains single at 34. Twelve years since I had my eyes on him, the feeling stays intense until now. But unlike Maxi who stole a kiss from Victor, there is nothing sexual between me and my ultimate crush and I love it that way because it's more thrilling. Last Sunday I had lunch at their house and I slept in his room, and nothing more. To me he is a special friend, a big brother and a crush rolled into one. I have a high regard for him and I know the feeling is mutual. You might not believe what I have just revealed but it's true and it's possible because I was brought up well by my parents that I fully understood what is moral and what is not. So Maximo Oliveros, thank you so much for inspiring and making me feel like a teenager once again.

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Thank you so much to all my friends who remembered my birthday last Monday especially to SM City Cebu management through its charming and energetic public relations supervisor Aicha Tabañera who delivered a mouth-watering banana cake to our office. Thanks also to my good editor for always making my columns better and to Madam Mayen Tan for making it possible that you are reading me now. React at [email protected] or text me at 09193194947.