I WRITE all sorts of poems.
For children.
For teenagers.
For lovers, for losers, for sex positivists.
As a sex positivist myself, I like writing erotic poetry.
My erotic poetry is not meant for the Palanca.
My erotic poems are for people who would spend P400 on my book.
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People read my books because they want to know more about me.
They know that they can read my most common thoughts from my columns in the newspaper.
If they want to know how I deal with the literary establishment, they read my Palanca winners.
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As they read my Palanca winners, they get ideas how to craft their poems, stories, and plays.
The see how my poetics simplify what’s taught in most writing workshops.
And of course, they recognize how my own ideas are put to work in response to the need of relevant literature in the 21st century, especially in our current decade, the 2020s.
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In my memoirs, they get inspiration on how to live extraordinary lives.
In my stories, they gain ideas about living responsibly and healthy in pre- and post-pandemic Philippines.
I have no doubt that we will have a better planet if all people would think like me, and do all good things like I do.
But I also know that it is not likely to happen.
Ask Jesus Christ the next time you see him.
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Still, I know that if 100 people begin to model their lives on mine, at least 100 people will be safe from suicide, anxiety, depression, unfaithfulness, and sense of worthlessness.
No, I have no delusions of saving humanity.
Jesus has already done that, and I think that it was a failed experiment.
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My goal is just to do my part.
Do my own share, my contribution.
In the general scheme of things, I’m only about cleaning my house and own backyard.
Now, if in the process of doing that I’m able to influence my own neighborhood to do the same, I’m okay with that.
No need to be jumping up and down. Haha.
***
Still, it happens that my skills set is writing, teaching, and showbiz.
What I do gets publicized, gets traction in social media.
So my crazy ideas about a better world gets shared, gets noticed.
And that’s why it is important for me to do the right thing all the time.
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There is a bigger expectation for me to do the right thing.
Well, here’s the big news: In this century, the right thing is not necessarily the same as the right thing in the last century.
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Most people judge my sex positivity harshly.
I know where the judgment is coming from.
It smells of the Middle Ages and middle class morality.
It is ignorant of gender relations, advancement in computer and information technology, and even the rise of sex work as an economic adjustment during the pandemic.
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I believe in marriage and monogamy.
Even for same sex unions.
But that is not to say that I haven’t had anonymous sex or orgies before I met my husband, or after he passed away.
I advocate consent.
I advocate safe sex.
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I’m currently on PrEP —pre-exposure prophylaxis, because I don’t want to catch HIV.
I’m still HIV negative.
I carry condoms.
But it doesn’t mean that I use condoms 100% of the time.
That’s being honest.
And still, I strongly advocate condoms especially for people who have risky sex behaviors in their lifestyle.
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Condoms for anonymous sex.
Condoms for multiple sex partners.
Condoms for random sex.
Condoms for animal sex.
Condoms for people not on PrEP.
***
Now, if people cannot be aggressive in public sex education like me, I respect their limitations.
I may even respect their ignorance. —No, I take that back!
I cannot respect ignorance. Not a chance.
Anyway, I can respect people’s limitations.
But let me remind them, they are in no position to criticize and judge my sex positivity if they are not doing anything positive to heal the world.
***
You cannot put down my positivity with your negativity.
Now, that may sound profound and scientific.
But it’s just common sense.
And I hope you have that commonest of senses!/PN
