Things to do if you’re broke

It’s the time of the year again when we will no doubt forget to give someone a gift and spend the new year trying to repair the damage. It’s also the time that we realize how much in debt we really are and even if we did remember we couldn’t really afford to be in your good graces. Is it any wonder why so many people hate Christmas?

We don’t – but we haven’t got any cash either, having spent a fortune from our own pockets to put up an exhibit that hopefully you all went to. (Notice the tone and the direct address? We know that only our dear friends really bother to read these "blogs"). In the absence of any material presents, my wife, Yvonne, and I are happy to finally find a more decent use to this space rather than the usual rubbish I fill it with. This is our gift – the only ones we can dish out this year – and we hope that next Christmas you’ll find on your doorstep something more substantial for all your troubles and sacrifices on our behalf.

For Ramon de Veyra/Neva Talladen – We’ve wasted so much time together talking about the most inane things that we thought it only proper to acknowledge your efforts in keeping one of us sane even without the pills. Just kidding. We love you both and hope you get married already.

For Darwin Yuson – Sorry for spreading the rumor that you were gay and making every girl in college laugh at you when you hit on them. You never got mad and we’re happy for that because you’re probably one of our closest friends.

For Lia Martinez – We don’t see you as often as we’d love to but you’re constantly in our hearts. Thanks for keeping Quark happy.

For Quark – You’re the only one of our heroes that is actually younger than us – and not dead. We love you so much that we’re actually looking forward to growing old – if only to hear you tell tales of how mad we were when we were younger.

For Terence Fernando – You’re the only lawyer we know who actually fulfilled his dream of being like a character in a David E. Kelley drama. You’re also a tireless defender on the court (basketball/judicial) who never lets anybody intimidate you. You’ve never tasted meat in your entire life. You actually spend holidays and birthdays going to depressed areas and feeding the poor. We might stand a few inches taller than you but we always feel half your size.

For Lyle Sacris – You’re simply a larger-than-life character with a tender, gracious heart that both Fellini and Gilliam would’ve fallen over themselves to film.

For Furball – The best group of filmmakers and visual artists in the country and the only ones with a sense of humor to carry it.

For Malek – You are a bona-fide musical genius – the few in the country at the moment. This was confirmed that night when we called you at 2 a.m. and you were out-of-breath and answered that you were just playing with your toy soldiers.

For Lourd de Veyra – You front the best band in the country right now, churning out hits about cheap cigarettes and alcohol. You managed that without being able to sing a single note. You are never snooty about educating anyone about music and literature. You’re way too cool to hang out with us. You are our good friend.

For Mark Laccay and the rest of Sweetspot – You constantly bail us out of our troubles and the fact that you are the best in the music industry only makes our debt bigger. We hope to be part of your empire in the future.

For Gabbie dela Rama – You are our muse and we’re thankful that you’re crazy enough to trust us with how you look. You make us look good.

For Alexis Tioseco – You like Wong Kar Wai but despite that we’re very fond of you and know that the future of Philippine cinema is in very good hands indeed.

For Gino Tioseco – A dirty, dirty man.

For Richie Yao – An even dirtier man.

For Igan D’ Bayan – You are a very handsome man and have long hair. We envy Becca.

For Kelvin and Jugs of the Itchyworms – You made one of the best pop albums in the history of Filipino music and you also happen to be the funniest pals anyone could ever ask for. One of our Christmas wishes is that you become so popular in 2006 that you’ll be able to shrug us off and pretend not to hear when we call your name from the sidelines of your celebrity.

For Fr. Tasang, Fr. Betbet and Fr. Gil Alinsangan – Thank you for making our weekly anticipated masses at our little community something we look forward to every Saturday evening. You’re proof that priests don’t need to dumb down and become stand-up comics to explain the gospels.

For Luis Katigbak – You are our favorite writer because almost everything you write embraces the reader with real warmth and we can only repay you by giving you a physical one. Don’t be alarmed when we do that the next time we see each other.

For Moon Fear Moon – The only thing that may be bigger than you is your talent. Not only do you have a genuine gift for music, but you’re also a generous human being.

For Cris Sevilla – You know much more about us than anybody else. That’s friendship. By the way, didn’t you notice your star is rising?

For Erin Pascual – You put up with our madness for three years with no complaint and contributed your talent to something that even its director has little enthusiasm for these days. You are the only man that Erwin is attracted to.

For Nina Laurel – Thanks for keeping Rom happy.

For Rom Villaseran, our newest baby in HG – We are always in awe of the places and beings that you introduce to us through your canvas. Your paintings are proof that magic does exist. Can’t wait for your exhibit next year.

For Nerson Bajado, HG’s secret weapon – You are much more to us than just the best hairstylist we’ve ever come across. You are simply amazing.

For Jino and Mads, our adoptive children in HG – My, how fast they grow! It was only yesterday that you were fully grown adults and now you’re as infantile as us. We know we joke about it but really we love you already as family.