Honorable man

Although we were originally going towards shanghai and chiba, on a later
date the charterers decided that the ship will generate more profits if it
discharges in Tabangao.

So , in 3 more days , we'll in be in Tabangao, Phillipines.It's my second
time in Philippines. The first time was in a sleepy place called Mariveles.

The pinoy kabayan agree here "That place no good. Batangas much better"
they say .



Of course now that we are going to Batangas, they are ecstatic.

Nilo is the happiest one. Nilo is short for Leonilo Balita Espiritu.Come to
think of it , that's the shortest Filipino name I've come across. All the
other names are so long that they accommodate everything of your address ,
except possibly the pin code !

Come to think of it , these guys have multiple names. The real name(one
that's on the passport),pinoy nickname (e.g. pogi ), and Most Preferred
Name(or MPN)

For example , Bims (MPN) is actually Bimbonito (real name) also known as
pogi among his kabayan. I can understand why he wants his name shortened to
Bims(MPN). No one wants to be a Bimbo on a ship filled with sailors !

Oh yeah, Nilo is the happiest one because he actually lives in Batangas,
close to the jetty where we are scheduled to berth. He is understandably the
man of the hour, our savior, our guide ! Certain discreet arrangements have
been made and we will be treated well when we go ashore, Nilo has promised !

Of course ,while Nilo is going home , others have made their own
arrangements. Art (MPN) plans to talk on his cell phone all day , as it is a
local call for him.

Clint has negotiated a lengthy deal with his girlfriend's mom and finally
his Princesskatara is allowed to come onboard to visit him.(certain
conditions apply, certain promises were extracted, you know the deal).

He tells me that once his princess is on board, the biggest challenge is to
keep her away from other men. Especially his kabayan !

He also tells me that he wants to introduce her to me.



To put him at ease I tell him that I'm an honorable man with honorable
intentions.

This is where I cross my fingers and tell him about my 4 non-existent
girlfriends and a cozy love nest that we share back at home. His eyes become
saucers. He tells me how lucky I am. He asks me about my future plans. He
reiterates my unusual luckiness. With fingers still crossed I assure him
that juggling 4 girlfriends is very challenging. So I assure that his
princess is safe in my vicinity.

Poor Clint.

He has no Idea.

(Hmm.Should I insert an evil maniacal 'I-WILL-TAKE -OVER-THE-WORLD" laughter
here for added effect ?)




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