Notice the bleakly-safe title. Since I’ve just come out of a personal slump, my creativity (not that I have much) is still recovering. Just continue reading to figure out what my sentiments are on the issue. This (issue) in particular, has been in my to-write-about list longest.
Brian Gorrell is an Australian blogger. He is openly gay, is infected with HIV, and is a poster boy for “freedom of speech,” most especially amongst hardcore slash ballsy bloggers. He was “swindled” by our kababayan, an ugly, gay, socialite druggie, who is celebrated (along with other “socialites”) in our newspapers’ society pages.
Due to the nature of libel in our fucked-up system, I, like the all the other bloggers out there will play it safe by not mentioning any names except that of Brian Gorrell. I am not a coward, I just don’t want to meet any more “law makers” for the time being, most especially for a crime that is not mine. Clueless? Do a search for “brian gorrell” in Google. Start from there.
I believe Brian Gorrell. I believe his stories. Don’t get me wrong, he is not my hero, for all I know he might be a devil in disguise, but I hate what and who he hates – even before he lashed out at them, most especially Tiny Tim (as he calls him). And that’s why I feel for him. He does not hate the Philippines or the Filipinos in general (he used to live in Boracay), just those that pollute and corrupt our image.
Truth is, we all owe people like Mr. Gorrell – foreigners who adore our land, who leave everything behind to live the simple life here, people who, as if suddenly realized (when they got here) that this is the place to be, and this is where they’ll cherish the rest of their lives in. And, because I hang out in a bar called Sid’s – a sort of tambayan for foreigners who live south of Manila, people like Mr. Gorrell are my favorite. They never run out of stories of how they love the Philippines and the Filipinos. Nakakataba nga naman ng puso.
On with the socialites. Who the hell even started calling them that? Paris Hilton ba ‘kamo? At least I’d “do” Paris or Nicole or that Kardashian chick any given day. Ours are just appalling, for lack of a better word. And, as cliche-ic as ever, they ruin their good families’ names. I feel for one of the greatest philanthropists of our time – Mr. ABS-CBN.
Places like Embassy. Man, talk about the epitome of Pinoy Coñolalism (hey, I coined a term!). Yes, I’ve been there, but only because I was either supporting an event or an occasion, hence, libre. In “clubs” like the Embassy, I (better yet, we) always feel were out of place. Even if I’m dressed properly. It’s as if we’re not welcome and everyone else knew each other – the same feeling I get from Boracay parties. Which is weird because I’m as Pinoy as they are, mas pogi pa nga ‘ko sa kanila eh.
It’s weird why these so-called “rich” people won’t just pay Brian’s amount. Relatively, it’s not even that big compared to their families’ fortunes. Mayaman naman sila, “coke” nga tinitira eh, buti sana kung shabu ‘yan. Besides, they’re probably going to spend that much in lawyer fees, etc. And he (Brian) did make it clear numerous times that he will shut-up once he gets paid. Pride right? Kasi hindi sila basta-basta. It’s true. Imagine how many people blog in the dark (like me), avoiding their names because they can easily put a price on all of our heads, literally.
Anyway, to sum this up, Brian Gorrell, I really hope you do get paid man. I know you won’t get in trouble because you are currently “within” a system glitch. A loophole of the law. A war between a corrupt and an honest country. A scapegoat if you will. If you do get crucified, people will speak, people will fight. For freedom. For you.
Death to all socialites, death to swindlers, death to social-climbers. More power to freedom fighters, more power to bloggers, more power to the real Filipinos and the Filipinos-at-heart.
