1.) I was born on November 30, 1972, 3am, at the Marian General Hospital (now a part of Manila Doctors). I was a Martial Law baby. My dad recounts that on the night that my mom was rushed to the hospital, policemen stopped the car on account of the curfew. When they saw that my mom was giving having labor pains, they immediately escorted our vehicle all the way to the hospital. O, di ba? Maski sa pagpapaanak sa akin ay diva na ang dating. Hahaha
2.) I have two younger brothers and a younger sister. We were all brought into this world by one OB-Gyne, Dra. Gozos, and checked-up by one Pediatrician, Dr. Faylona.
3.) My parents were supposed to name me “Andrew” or “Andrei” because I was born on St Andrew's feast day (Andres Bonifacio Day in the Philippines). But someone gave my Mom a book of names and she liked the meaning of Eric (“King”) and Michael (“who is like God”). And so, my name means, God-like King. Cool, right?
4.) My nickname is Boobie. I was born during the Martial Law years. At that time, my aunts and uncle had limited television shows to watch. One show that they particularly liked was a cartoon called Shazzan. He had a flying, talking camel called Kaboobie. They thought he was cute, and they thought I was cute. Kaya, ayun… Sigh!
5.) I am a full-blooded La Sallian. From prep to high school, I studied at De La Salle – Santiago Zobel School (pioneer batch). Then onto De La Salle University for college. I have loyalty awards to prove it. Hahaha
6.) In DLSZ, I purposely lost all of the inter-class academic competitions that I was in because I was frustrated that my parents never came to watch me in any of them. Oh, wait. I won the Bible Showdown kasi hindi kaya ng konsyensya ko na magpatalo doon. Hahaha. Saka yung Oratorical Contest kasi that was my forte. (my winning pieces were Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, Carlos Romulo’s I Am A Filipino, and Amador Daguio’s Youth Speaks). Goes well with my love for theater. Hahaha.
7.) I am afraid of spiders. They give me the heebie-jeebies. You can give me frogs, snakes, lizards, cockroaches. But spiders, forget it. Remember that movie, Arachnophobia? Me and my friends watched it. I had my eyes covered during 90% of the film. And the remaining 10%? I was squealing like a little girl. PRETTY embarrassing.
8.) I am a certified choco-holic. Running joke between my gay friends and I is that sasagutin ko yung guy na liligawan ako via gifts of chocolates. Hahaha. And it also follows that I have a terrible sweet tooth. I love cakes, pastries, candies. Hehehe
9.) I sleep with a minimum of three pillows beside me in bed. Gusto ko kasi may kayakap ako sa pagtulog. Syempre, mas maganda kung warm body ang kayakap ko. Wahahaha
10.) I love to perform. In grade school, I was in the school’s productions of The Music Man, Wanted: Muchacho, and Sa Pula, Sa Puti. In high school, I was in the batch plays All My Sons, Florante at Laura, Ibong Adarna, and Noli Me Tangere.
11.) I received my very first failing grade in college. Chemistry. Ugh! Let's not expound.
12.) I fell in love with a female classmate when I was in college. But, it was not meant to be. She was Chinese, I was not. That was the first time that I had my heart broken.
13.) I am a cry-baby. I cry at sad scenes in movies. The worst crying spell that I had at a movie-house was during the film Stepmom (starring Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon). . I get teary-eyed when reading sad stories.
14.) I have stage fright. Considering that I have been performing with a choir for the last 17 years. Before a performance, I can’t eat. I pace the floor. I sweat.
15.) I have traveled the world because of choral singing. In 1996, we went to 10 countries in Europe, 5 states in the US, and Hong Kong in Asia. In 2007, we went to Scandinavia and countries in the former Eastern Bloc
16.) My ultimate dream would be to perform in musical theater. I totally see myself singing, acting, and dancing on stage. Another would be to do back-up vocals for a major artist in a major concert.
17.) I get embarrassed when I get praises from other people. I feel uncomfortable when I am at the center of attention.
18.) I love dogs. When I was young, my dad would get me and my brother a pair of dogs. Since my brother is averse to them, I end up taking care of both. Oh, and I gave them “pair” names. Donnie and Marie, Starsky and Hutch, Lancelot and Guinevere. Then I had Queenie, Apollo, and Lucky. Now, I have Chippy and Sasha.
19.) I am gay. Bading, bakla, jokla. Call it what you may. I long to have a meaningful relationship with a guy some day.
20.) Indications of being gay manifested itself as early as 5 years old. Wala pa lang akong concept of being gay at that time. I remember watching a film on television where the male lead actor was walking on the beach shirtless. Dun nagsimula ang lahat.
21.) I’ve had two really serious relationships. The first lasted for 2 years. The second lasted for 4 years. The second one almost ended in a Holy Union ceremony at the Order of St Aelred with Fr Richard Mickley as officiator.
22.) My first kiss/sexual experience was with Kevin, a Norwegian. This all happened when I was 26. Late bloomer, huh?
23.) I don't know how to swim. Heehee
24.) I am captivated by sunrises and sunsets. Nothing beats watching them and contemplating on how wonderful creation is.
25.) I LOOOOVE Chinese food. No need to explain further. Hahaha.
