Drama Queen

The author's fictionalized recollections of his youth in the Philippines and a mosaic of adventures and misadventures. "Drama Queen" - a reality radio show celebrated the tragedies of contestants and rewarded the saddest of all with few pieces of bread and supply of a cheap cold ointment. Normal-minded women spilled their guts in public for such lowly rewards. "Love Has Wings" touches on an environmental and political disaster in a Spratly Island-like locale. A love story is woven into the fabric of a confrontation in the sea between China and the Philippines. "My Friend Alien" - a Filipino scriptwriter in Laguna Beach had a friendly encounter with an alien. "The Nine Lives of Felizardo Cabangbang" - a Filipino-American veteran was born lucky he could not die. "Lady Robin Hood" - a beautiful, contemporary Filipino woman did civic work in her own inimitable way. "The Wedding Ring" - the battle of good and evil in the mind of a jeweler. "Doray's Balikbayan Box" - Remember Pandora's Box? It was the source of all evil. "My Way" - a karaoke singer hit it big in the U.S.A. "Apo Pule's Tattoo" -Tattooing in the Philippines was an ancient ritual deep in spiritual meaning. Stories explore the realms of the "Tiyanak," "Manananggal," "Nuno sa Punso," "Kapre," "Kaluluwa" - a positive take on mythical characters from the dark side.