#yb6

Bimota YB6 Exup

She was getting ready to pull away, getting ready to apologize, when Yelena’s arms looped around her frame. The action instantly caused a smile on Valentina’s lips. Yelena was trying— and this effort was enough for her. “You know I’m here right? You can tell me if something is wrong… maybe I can help?”

My recent resolve to make this blog active again has just been challenged by the turbulent events of the past few days. The very Monday found me all the way in Makati, at BPI’s central office at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue, going through their pre-employment screening process. The pattern went on for the rest of the week: exams, job interviews, travelling to Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Last night, as Sunday gave way to Monday, and as Myrtle, my girlfriend, hung up the phone, I finally felt exhaustion catch up to me. It dawned on me just how pretty darned tiring being an adult was, and transitioning from College Kid to Real-Life Working Adult feels like a Herculean task. Another turbulent week was ahead: more exams, more job interviews. I just want to hide in a hole somewhere and fall asleep – forever. But it’s been a fun week. The highlights, the best days, came toward the end, and felt like the universe’s way of rewarding me for having done well. Friday found me at the awarding ceremony for the English Department’s Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio Literary Prize, receiving the two awards I’ve scored: first and second prize both for the short story. I read my stories to everyone present at the ceremony, including my old writing professors, other distinguished names at the English Department, as well as Gemino Abad himself! (I swear Gemino Abad was smiling throughout my reading of A First Hand Account of the End of the World. I wanted to die of happiness right at the podium!) And then Saturday, Myrtle accompanied me to the book launch of the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Young Blood 6, a collection of some of the best essays published in their Young Blood section in the years 2014 to 2015, among which was my own essay, My Youth’s Soundtrack. Inquirer knows how to throw a party, and I felt overtaken by a proud happiness while I walked among the crowd, my Young Blood 6 pin on my long-sleeved shirt, approaching and being approached by fellow writers, readers, signing copies of the books. I was telling myself: this is me, this is the first real step I’ve taken towards my dreams, this is me reaching for the green light. Inquirer gave me two contributor copies of the book, as well as a stuffed moose – which Myrtle has taken to calling Moose. So how am I? I am happy. I feel like I am riding on the crest of my life’s wave, and it’s just getting higher and higher where I am. I hope you are happy too, you who are reading this. Life is short, and we are put in an age that’s growing ever darker, but every now and again, we have a good time.

BIMOTA YB6 EXUP - 1989

"I'm a Jack-of-all-trades." || n.j.