FOR THE PAST month that I have been in the country, I’ve been meeting new people.
Well, not really new “new” because most of them know me from Panay News, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms.
Many of them claim to be fans.
And they always tell me I’m even more adorable in person.
There’s a lot of truth in that.
*
I am, in my mind, a very nice person.
I am loving, caring, shameless, and spontaneous.
I am kind, respectful, considerate, and mindful of what hidden burdens people who meet me might be carrying.
Because I am truly happy, content, and grateful of the kind of life that I have, I pass no judgment on others.
Until, of course, they cross me.
*
I am also generous.
If not with money, with my time, talent, skills, and that spirit of being with the person fully at a given time.
I love giving people a wonderful time, a great experience; and if they are open, an enlightening encounter.
Most people who meet me in person for the first time are often awed by my down to earth attitude.
So different, they say, from my social media and newspaper personality.
*
Which brings me to my point:
You really don’t know me until you have walked a mile with me. And I really mean 1.6 kilometers of walk.
Or, maybe sat an hour with me for coffee, or batchoy, or pho.
In Dumangas, people love to feed me because I eat almost about anything.
Boiled plantains, sardines from the can, leftovers from the other day, dirty ice cream, street food, and turo-turo dishes.
And once you feed me, I’ll feed you with something spiritual, something unearthly, something more than just gossip.
*
Understand that in Facebook and Instagram, I only present my curated life.
I edit myself a lot on social media.
Sure, my social media feed has a sense of spontaneity and urgency.
But I do think ten times before I hit the post button.
I am a responsible social media user.
I think everybody should try to imitate my example, and do the same.
*
In Panay News, I’m entirely a different monster.
Because I’m writing for the newspaper, and is laid out next to other writers, I need to position myself smartly.
Since I cannot be smart all the time (To be honest, I don’t follow the news), I just try to be honest all the time.
I may be writing about trivial pursuits, but you cannot say I’m not honest.
If at all, my passion and honestly are pretty palpable.
*
And that’s my unique contribution to the Ilonggo newspaper industry.
I am an honest heart on the page.
Although really smart in real life, I tend to project an image of being just an arrogant prick.
And you like it when I sound desperate, or angry, or just crazy.
But I’m not really like that.
At least, not 24/7.
And some of you are smart enough to understand that I’m just heightening the emotion for my readership.
*
Although I seriously doubt it, I’d probably be boring when I try to sound smart and philosophical and analytic on paper.
I mean, it’s one thing to be philosophical over coffee talk.
We can argue, and I’m loveliest when I’m argumentative.
In fact, a lot of friends ask me out for coffee exactly for the delight of talking to me in the universal abstract, and probing my existential philosophies with all the questions they dare not ask anybody else.
*
Here’s the thing: I cannot be sure where you are reading this column.
If you are reading this on the run, or in the toilet, I want you to just have a good time.
So, I leave you with sound bites, and something to laugh at.
Forget about me being philosophical for a moment.
I won’t argue with a reader straining to be relieved of his/her bowels.
*
But you don’t really know Pete.
And you will never know how truly great Peter Solis Nery is from mere newspaper stories and social media feeds.
But troll me in the internet.
And try to have some sense of humor.
And smarts.
Be intelligent to decipher when I’m serious.
And be smart to see beyond what you read.
Or, at least, understand that I only want to spread love.
And peace, if we can afford it. (500tinaga@gmail.com/PN)
