He was the sweetest among my five dogs, and he was the sweetest to my other dogs. Being Dog No. 2 in my pack, he was the one who welcomed the dogs that followed after him, making sure that they were comfortable in their new home. As my younger dogs grew older (and bigger than […]
Read more "Good Night to My Sweetest Boy"My father was a seaman. In his long career, he climbed the ranks from the bottom of the barrel to one of the ship’s key engineers. Because of his work, he had circumnavigated the world more times than I can count. He had traveled the world extensively and was exposed to different cultures, cuisines, languages […]
Read more "Travels, With My Father"The concept of parallel universes or multiverses is nothing new. It has been explored in pop culture to varying results — from silly (the “time space warp” of Ultraman’s nemesis, Puma Ley Ar) to unimaginative (that film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe) to exhilarating (the recent Michelle Yeoh-starring Everything Everywhere All At Once.) The film […]
Read more "Every Vic Everywhere All At Once"To say that my father and I had an unconventional relationship would be a huge understatement. Our 39-year age gap made for a chasm of a generational divide. And it surely did not help when he correctly assumed that his second son is gay. (In case it wasn’t obvious, that second son is me.) Our […]
Read more "Unconventional"As per Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. (Also, ‘dick,’ amirite?) This time last year, despite my original plans of celebrating my 40th birthday in Hawaii not pushing through, I still had a memorable celebration — a quiet intimate dinner with a man who was truly special […]
Read more "A Tale of Two Vickys"I have been friends with them since sophomore year in high school. Twenty six years later, we have transcended even the now commonly used phrase “chosen family.” We actively choose to participate in both the majestic and mundane moments; graciously expand our understanding of the world, ourselves and each other through our regular interactions; steadfastly […]
Read more "Twelve Days"My paternal grandfather had a few sons before my father was born but it was my father – despite being the middle child of many, many siblings (not even counting his half-siblings from my grandfather’s first family) – whom my grandfather named after himself. My father was Vicente Platon, Jr. His family called him “Baby” […]
Read more "His Name Was Vicente"This piece was written in celebration of my friend Rodney Ong’s 40th birthday celebration over Zoom last 26 March 2021, with the theme, “A Funeral for Rodney Ong’s Youth.” +++ Dearly beloved, we are gathered here tonight to mourn the end of Rodney Ong’s youth. First and foremost, on behalf of Rodney’s wife, Debbie, and […]
Read more "A Farewell to Youth"Everything since our first “hello,” I felt it – I feel it The beautiful moments which were many, it caused my heart, my spirit, my person to soar It made me feel seen, wanted, valued You were able to see through me To see me roll my eyes even when they are closed You made […]
Read more "Everything Between Hello and Goodbye"“My story starts at sea, a perilous voyage to an unknown land; a shipwreck. The wild waters roar and heave. The brave vessel is dashed all to pieces. And all the helpless souls within her drowned. All save one – a lady whose soul is greater than the ocean, and her spirit stronger than the […]
Read more "Journey To The Center of Self"
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