My Muses

The meeting of hearts and souls inspired nearly every story that I have ever written up to now (December 2003). I admit that, had I not met these people, I would never have taken up the pen to write stories for my thesis. I am indebted to these women, who have touched my life in more ways than one. My thesis and my other works are dedicated to them.

On a side note, visitors of the University of the Philippines at Diliman can find statues of the nine muses (Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania) just outside the campus' College of Arts and Letters.

WARNING: In no way do my muses look like my drawings. The women in the images have bigger breasts, for one thing. The majority of these illustrations were actually inspired by the computer game "Ragnarok".

Lady Leonhart

First met: Somewhere out there, 1998

Her voice is sweeter than wine and honey, and ten times more so when she's drunk. The most important woman in my life, she is breath, and bread, and water to me. (and chocolate chip cookies -- Schultz, "Peanuts") My whole life is dedicated to this one woman, who gave me the most wonderful and most beautiful gift that I have ever received: her simple, unconditional love.

Lady Hellkite

First met: Humanities building basement, 2nd semester, 1998 - 1999

I have known this woman for a long time now, even longer than I've been friends with my girlfriend. Whaddaya know, if I hadn't met her back then, I wouldn't have taken AB Communication Arts. Simply put, Lady Hellkite, the woman who gave me hope and strength to climb out of the mire, is the only reason why I took up writing.

Miss Baby Girl

First met: "Caucasian Chalk Circle" production, 1st semester 2001 - 2002

A marvelous combination of enchanting beauty, streetwise sense, and unwavering determination. Because of her, there was a time when I could say "Tonight, I can write the happiest lines" (ha ha, eat that, Neruda). My life would've been so different had had we not become more than just casual acquaintances.

Miss Pisces

First met: A private school in Alabang, 2nd semester, 2000 - 2001

It all began with Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye".

And it somehow ended at Alabang Town Center, with a punch in the jaw, a knee in the groin, and my bag in the fountain.

But that's all in the past. It's kinda okay now.

A toast to the most intelligent woman of my generation, at least as far as I know. Quand M�me, the statue of the fighting woman at Toulons, comes to mind.

Mademoiselle Carrie

First met: Philippine Art and Society class, 1st semester, 2002 - 2003

No question about it, Mademoiselle Carrie has the most beautiful smile that I've ever seen in my entire life. She's the cutest person ever , mwa ha ha! An online psychology test reveals her to be "a perfect girlfriend"; having known her kindness, beauty, and fun-loving nature, all I can say is that her boyfriend's gonna be one lucky duck. (^_^)