The guy who made me blog again

I know, I know, I am a really bad blogger… But here I am again, trying to compensate for all the weeks (este months pala… hehe!) of not blogging. Will also explain in another post what forced me stop blogging.

Now, however, will tell you first what prompted me to blog again (aside from the fact that Jojie, my husband, has been making me kulit).

I was in Grade 6 when our class had a field trip to a gallery which exhibited the works of Ramon Orlina. I didn’t grow up in a “cultural” family; except for the occasional field trips, didn’t really get to watch plays or go to art exhibits. For some reason though, I appreciated Orlina’s glass sculptures. I was really hooked! Because of that field trip, I learned to spot an Orlina and whenever I would see one, I would always, always stop to lovingly gaze at it for a few minutes.

Fast forward to the time Jojie and I were already going out. Jojie basically had everything I was looking for in a guy… he was responsible, loving, supportive, sweet, could make me laugh, and hundreds other stuff, but until the night that we became steadies, I wasn’t sure if he could appreciate art (we went to a choral concert that night and when I saw him transfixed, I was so happy! At least alam kong nakaka-intindi naman pala siya ng “culture”. Hahaha!). We became “us” that night.

I can’t remember exactly how long we’ve been together when we first saw an Orlina together but I was so happy that Jojie appreciated the artistry of the glass sculpture. Since then, Jojie and I would daydream of having an Orlina some day. In the same manner that we would daydream about living in an industrial house, we would talk about where he would display our Orlina.

This morning, after a meeting in Makati, Jojie and I went to Rockwell Tent for the bridal fair. From the side of the tent, Jojie pointed out a stretch Volswagen Beetle. We both thought it was cool but paid no more attention to it. We went inside the mall first because it was raining and just went back to the tent after a couple of hours.

Upon entering, we followed a scientific path to ensure that we would be able to scour all the booths. After making chika to all the suppliers I know, we were on our way out when I realized we missed one aisle. I told Jojie “Last na lang, honey.” He nodded and just followed me. At the end of the aisle was the booth for the stretch beetle. We were so amused, I stopped to inquire and make chika for a while. I learned then that the owner of the beetle was none other than Ramon Orlina! Cool eh! Sabi ko kay Jojie, “Hon, claim to fame na yun, kay Ramon Orlina yung bridal car mo.” He agreed. Before leaving the booth, Jojie got one of Mr. Orlina’s cards from the table. Sabi ko sa kanya, “Wow, may calling card ka na ni Orlina!” We then left the tent.

Upon exiting, Jojie noticed that the stretch VW was parked in front of the tent. Natuwa kami pareho kasi ang cool nung stretch na VW Beetle. We went to inspect the car. Paglapit namin, may lalaki na nagpapa-picture sa kotse. He left as we got nearer. I told Jojie in a whisper, “Hon, si Orlina ata yun.” Sabi niya, “Ha? Siya ba yan?” “Oo, kamukha niya yung nasa TV eh.” He was so engrossed with the car, hindi niya na ako sinagot. Nakakatuwa pa yung kotse kasi may Orlina sculpture sa loob!

Since I wanted to ask more about the car, I went to the person near to the car handing out leaflets. I began, “Sir, yung rent po…” He interrupted me by saying, “Si boss po” while pointing to the man who was having his picture taken earlier. I went to that person and inquired. After a minute, I couldn’t help myself and I asked, “Kayo po si Mr. Ramon Orlina.” He said yes!!! I couldn’t belive it!!! I was almost teary-eyed. Sabi ko, “I’m such a big fan po.” By this time, Jojie was walking towards us, and I added “we’re such big fans po, my husband and I.” And then to Jojie, I said, “Sabi ko sa iyo siya yun eh.”

We stayed for several more minutes, chatting with him. He was really nice. He even autographed his calling card for us. We asked if the sculpture would be there if someone rents the car. He said no. Well, totally understandable.