Ten years ago I was a naïve 16-year-old having no idea how to start my very first piece; and I ended up writing about my dogs. One has passed away; the other is 12 years old, which, in human terms, is 84 years old.
I would eventually also write about my generation, young people trying to find a voice and be heard. I would satirize my teachers, which would threaten my dreams of graduating from high school. I would rave about Thalia, Marimar (definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing) and hair rebonding; and diss my friends who owed me money (and they still do). I would lament the death of a loved one and dissect the travails of a best friend who got pregnant out of wedlock.
Over the past 10 years, Young STAR has seen its writers come and go. I find it overwhelming and consider it a blessing to be one of the few who have stayed on.
For this anniversary piece I was requested to make a list of 20 things guys can’t live without. "I have no idea," I said to myself.
After giving it a great deal of thought – a great deal of thought as to which guy friends to nag – we came up with this random list. We made it as wholesome as possible.
1) An efficient gym. This is definitely at the top of my list, because working out can get really addicting. These days it’s hard to find good gyms that actually give you results without ripping you off. I go to a good one, but you have to wait for my next piece.
2) A good pair of jeans. Don’t look at the price tag. If it looks and feels good on you, it’s priceless.
3) Your favorite shirt. It can either make you look hunky or like a walking hangar; it’s like a toddler’s security blanket which our ya-yas would yank from us to have it washed (in my case disinfected), minus also the thumb sucking.
4) A good pair of shoes.
5) Beer. Being a non-drinker I can live without it, but for a huge number of guys, it’s unthinkable. Watching people get drunk is a nice pastime, too.
6) Bragging. It’s like watching National Geographic. The peacock with the best plumage gets the peahen.
7) The Internet. I’m not much into the ultra-techie stuff, so the Internet is just right; besides, most of my guy friends are addicted to Friendster and DoTA, whatever that means.
8) Nice hair. They say us guys are more vain than girls? Perhaps it’s true.
9) Companionship. My joy is complete when shared with friends. Wise counsel is best served with affection.
10) Music is one of life’s sustaining resources.
11) Sports. In my case, it’s swimming and weightlifting. Every man needs at least one sports obsession.
12) A good read. It’s easy to distinguish people who read from those who don’t. People of substance make life more enjoyable.
13) Unmentionables. Let your mind wander, and no, it’s not underwear.
14) Nice underwear. Even if people don’t really get to see it, it still looks good on you.
15) Good food. The joys of pigging out. Priceless.
16) Flicks that make you think. I find it better to watch a film with a good plot that keeps your brain stimulated rather than a forgetful CGI-laden movie that lowers your IQ.
17) Tech gadgets. iPODs, cell phones, or whatever – the grown guy’s toys.
18) Rubbing alcohol. There are guys who don’t really go for a lot of cosmetic stuff; just good old rubbing alcohol will do.
19) A good dermatologist and a good dentist. Once you get older you’ll definitely thank them for making you look younger and keeping all your teeth still intact.
And lastly…
20) Mommy. Just like the Italians, Pinoy men see their mothers as such strong influences. That is why we’re such mama’s boys. And proud of it.