I was lying down in my room--naked (jk)--listening to music; reminiscing. I realized that I had some pretty good memories with people close to me and people I haven't seen in a long time. Here are 30 memories with those peope. I won't add their names. If they ever come across this, they'll know.

1. That night we got really wasted and you almost got stabbed at that billiard place next to the bus station. We sang Buloy at the 24-hour karaoke bar really loud, which pissed off the sleepy waitress. Then, at the end of the night (or rather an hour before sunrise), you told me that you got your girlfriend pregnant. You were crying and I didn't know what to say. One hell of a night bro.

2. That night we smoked a jay at the park, next to the mayor's office, before going to Loaded, and you saved me from getting a beer bottle smashed on my head when I unknowingly (in my intoxicated state) cut in between this cute girl and her boyfriend on the dancefloor. The fact that she smiled and started grinding on me in front of her boyfriend didn't really help alleviate the situation. Glad you brought your gun with you that night. I'm even more glad you're my cousin. I owe you one.

3. When you, me, that other cool guy whose name I forgot, and Meni drank at Beer Garden. Then, afterwards, we laid down on the outdoor basketball court and talked about life, God, the universe, and our Spring Break plans. Since we never got to go to Laguna or Bagiuo as we had planned, I'll make sure we go when I come back--just us four.

4. "Babysitting" you eventhough you're pretty mature for your age. We were rocking our faces off on Guitar Hero, and were having way too much fun on the Wii (playing 'Blind Boxing') because the grumpy people downstairs started banging on our floor with their broom. Just like with your mom, I can carry a conversation with you for hours, eventhough I sometimes end up talking like a 13-year old girl. You're officially my favorite niece.

5. Going to South Padre Island with you guys. That whole weekend consisted of chasing girls, memorable misadventures, crashing waves, stealing other people's shit like beach bums, and getting sunburned. Good times.

6. I remember when you gave everyone in our class this tribal-looking bracelet made of wood (I still have it). The day I left the school, I threw it to you across the classroom, then you threw it back to me, and told me to keep it as a way to remember our class and strong unity. That was our unintentionally-dramatic moment taken off the pages of a teen-drama show. I'm glad we're on the same continent again.

7. That night I biked all the way to your house through gang-infested 5th Street, in the cold, just to deliver you a bag of all your favorite candies, and a chance to make-out with you.

8. That night we walked in that trail system behind your neighborhood, and we made-out under a sprinkler because it was the closest thing we had to rain at the moment. Then, as I was driving off, I played The Scientist real loud, and that became "our song"--at least to me, it was.

9. That night you told me about your darkest and deepest secrets, and staying up on the phone with you until dawn, listening, trying to comfort you, as you cried. You owe me $1,000 for my phone bills...jk =).

10. That time when I recorded that song by Tyrese on your voicemail, while you were at school, and I was at home nursing a sprained ankle, because I can't sing to save my life.The lyrics pretty much said how I felt about you. Sorry I was the way I was back then.

11. Beating you up in kung-fu class, haha.

12. That one amazing day when we went to our friend's house/estate, and we rowed around his pond in a little wooden boat, in the rain. Then, we walked down that muddy trail barefoot--getting soaken wet. That rain was refreshing. Then I practically dry-fucked your friend's mom and her equally-MILFish aunt at Club Purgatory, while your friend's step-dad slept in the car, intoxicated. The fact that the level of the club we were in was called Hell made all the sins I was committing seem more unforgivable. Other memories that night: free drinks; the entire club singing along, in unison, to Easy-E's Boyz in the Hood; doing our "bowling" dance to Ballin' by Jim Jones; and when our homeboy got kicked out because he was caught with drinks. I seriously need to move up there!

13. That night you drove me to the bust station when I left for New York. You are so cool, nice, and thoughtful. You know how I know you'll make a great father one day? Because before I went inside the Greyhound station, you told me to call you if got to New York safely, and gave me a no-homo-bro-hug.

14. When we "temporarily borrowed" your mom's friend's car in the middle of the night, and cruised all around H-Town, drag-racing random people (including that old fart in a minivan), then being greeted by your mom's pissed-off friends when we came back, and you told me to run home as fast as I can, so I did, and that lady threatened to break my dick off.

15. The night you told me you were trying to kill yourself, going berserk on AIM, and on the phone was my girlfriend breaking up with me. I was trying to save you and my relationship simultaneously. After that intensely stressful experience, I'm glad I succeeded in both. I'm sorry we didn't work out. I still have that letter you mailed me. I read it whenever I'm in need of inspiration. Thank you.

16. Drinking with you all night, telling me all these crazy & hillarious stories. Then waking up at 5 in the morning to pick up the food for my godson's baptismal party.

17. Talking to you from across the globe, at odd hours (for me at least), about our ambitions, literature, our respective lives, existentialism, and global issues. I wish I had known you when I was still in the Philippines. I would have travelled 6-hours to Manila just to hang out with you. One day we'll both be content.

18. Swimming with you in what was probably the septic tank of a barely constructed house when our neighborhood was still brand new. We got in trouble with your mom afterwards, except you were the one who got slapped multiple times. Your mom was like Honda from Streetfighter doing a 50-slap Combo on you.

19. Swimming in the river with you guys in Lakawan; having a picnic Survivorman-style; chillin' on top of the dam; and spending time with old family friends who told me stories of when they used to babysit me when I was a snot-nosed little punk.

20. Getting lifted and listening to you guys freestyle at Sawmill Road (aka "The Bridge"). Trying to record EVPs and spooking each other out.

21. When we went to Spring late at night, walking around, taking pictures. It seemed like we had the whole town to ourselves.

22. Drinking with you guys at your apartment every other Saturday, talking about art, film, life, and philosophy. I miss that little ritual we had.

23. Hoopin' with you guys almost everyday, afterschool; making choreographed And 1-style videos which we tried to pass off as improv.

24.That night we impulsively drove to New Orleans sometime in the a.m., after we couldn't find that haunted road in Beaumont.

25. That time our parents met--well, at least your mom was there. I think your dad wasn't too happy knowing you had a boyfriend. Then my parents dropped us off at First Colony Mall. It was one of the few times I was alone with you, and the only time I ever introduced a girlfriend to my parents.

26. When we were at the same party and you were with your boyfriend, who didn't seem to really notice you. When we were alone in the garage, I was teasing you that you couldn't fight, and then you proved wrong. I thought to myself, She's beautiful, has a great personality, and can kick ass. Later on that night, you and I kept on making making eye-contact from across the room, but I couldn't really act on my feelings because it wasn't right. You seemed to have changed as you achieved more success. I'm proud of you though. Maybe it was me who changed--or maybe we all did.

27. When you were sitting on the couch by yourself because no one was dancing with you, and your friend told me to dance with you, but I refused because I was geeking out on the computer playing Starcraft when I should've been DJ-ing in the first place. (Imagine the sound effects a Zerg makes when it impales an enemy mixed with a slow-jam...worse "DJ" in history). Now, you're so hot that guys probably line up just to say hi to you. I owe you a dance.

28. Dropping acid with you guys in Midtown. The entire experience was otherwordly and enlightening. We ended that night by watching the sunrise in Spindletop and then chilled at Tranquility Park, watching "the slaves of capitalism" somberly walk into the giant corporate office buildings. Oh, and your grandparents made us breakfast too. That was pretty cool.

29. Staying up all night reading Archie comics and each of us cakin' with a girl: you on the phone and me on AIM; listening to System of a Down and Filipino classic alt-rock.

30. Talking fourway on the phone with you guys while we all simultaneously watched Mr. Bean on PBS--laughing our faces off.

I'm flying across oceans, dreaming of Singapore nights that never end. You play the piano for me every time I lay my head on your lap. Rachmaninoff? Sure. Why not. Play with passion so the music notes can carry us into Valhalla. Even cold winter nights are warm when our bodies connect to form one single organism. Let's stay like this--in bed discussing Russian Lit.

I'm in-love with Diana Garcia. She was in Amar.

So basically...eventhough I always say I'll never get married to anyone, Diana Gacia is the exception. Okay, maybe there are a few other exceptions--such as:

1. Other beautiful Mexican actresses.

2. Venezuelan beauty queens with intelligence and personality.

3. European models...someone like Ingrid Holm.