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I have this semi-bad habit of saying yes to every social invitation thrown my way. How’d you like to host an inuman this Friday for people you haven’t seen nor spoken to in five years, some of which made fun of the way you spoke to them in English? Sure! A weekend in Baguio with two couples, leaving you with nothing to do but write, smoke, and listen to melancholy music all by yourself when they go off and have sexy time, which will probably make you even more depressed than you would have been if you stayed in town? Yeah, why not? How about an inauguration for an organization whose name you didn’t really catch, but Loren Legarda will be present so it must be important? Okies, I’ll be there!

That last invitation came from Mike, and I said yes even though I only knew three things about the said event: it shall be held in the Manila Peninsula Hotel, Senator Loren Legarda will be there, and the attire is “smart casual”. Whatever the hell “smart casual” is supposed to be.

It turns out that the event was this year’s first meeting of the Philippine Internet Commerce Society (PICS07), and Mike was to be inducted into the Board of Directors as the Vice President (Online). It was also, I realized, the first real businesslike social event I’ve ever attended and I thanked whatever god is out there for a) putting me in a nice, sociable mood this evening, b) giving me enough energy to dress up well for the event, c) making me smart enough to bring calling cards in my wallet. I met a lot of important people tonight: Franklin Naval, software QA engineer for Google; Hans of Syndeo Media, who owes me money; and this other guy whose name I don’t remember because he didn’t have his card on him, but I pimped my writing services to him so I hope he gives me a call. I need monies.

Senator Loren Legarda giving her speech

The most Important person that I met tonight, however, was Senator Loren Legarda herself. She was the evening’s guest speaker and she gave a rather engaging talk about the growing importance of e-commerce in the modern world, with emphasis on the need to make online business opportunities more available to Filipinos all over the country. I was rather content to just sit there and listen, and then kind of watch as the Senator left the room with her aides in tow. But nooo. Mike had to drag me outside and introduce me to her the First Filipino Blogger. A “title” which I find rather awkward because I don’t think it’s that much of a big deal. Being the first blogger has little or nothing to do with skill or talent; it’s entirely a matter of luck. I was just lucky that I had access to the Internet at home in 1996. I was just lucky that I came up with the brilliant idea to make Dear Diary something public. I didn’t even start the whole blogging movement in the Philippines, nor did I even try to bring bloggers together like Abe does. I was just…the first.

Loren meets Lauren in all her bloated period glory

Those were the thoughts that were racing through my mind as I stood trembling in the presence of Loren Legarda. Hence, the WTF-am-I-doing-here expression on my face. I hate that I act like a bumbling teenager around VIPs like senators and parents! All my youthful bravado and sass just vanishes into thin air when I’m being introduced to people I need to impress. I fail at being a Grown-Up.

I became a member of PICS shortly after because there’s a wealth of opportunities for money-making online and it’s a shame that the people who really need the extra income aren’t even aware of these opportunities. I’ve never joined any “socially-oriented” organizations because I hate the idea of working my ass off so other people can get free stuff. Sorry, but your gratitude isn’t going to buy me the shoes I really want. Anyway, I think being a part of PICS is the closest thing I’ll ever get to giving something back to society while serving my interests at the same time. I mean, it’s not just other people who will benefit from the development of e-commerce in the Philippines. I’ll be profiting from it too. Everybody wins!

Let it never be said that Romance is dead

The best part of the evening? Getting roses from the Invisible Boyfriend. There were flowers, flowers everywhere! As impermanent and fleeting as our superficial Internet love. Okay, I don’t even know what I’m talking about anymore. I sleep now.

Technorati Tags: PICS07