Drama Queen: And Other Short Stories

The author's fictionalized recollections of his youth in the Philippines and a mosaic of adventures and misadventures. “Drama Queen” - a reality radio show celebrated the tragedies of contestants and rewarded the saddest of all with few pieces of bread and supply of a cheap cold ointment. Normal-minded women spilled their guts in public for such lowly rewards. “Love Has Wings” touches on an environmental and political disaster in a Spratly Island-like locale. A love story is woven into the fabric of a confrontation in the sea between China and the Philippines. “My Friend Alien” – a Filipino scriptwriter in Laguna Beach had a friendly encounter with an alien. “The Nine Lives of Felizardo Cabangbang” – a Filipino-American veteran was born lucky he could not die. “Lady Robin Hood” – a beautiful, contemporary Filipino woman did civic work in her own inimitable way. “The Wedding Ring” – the battle of good and evil in the mind of a jeweler. "Doray’s Balikbayan Box” – Remember Pandora’s Box? It was the source of all evil. “My Way” – a karaoke singer hit it big in the U.S.A. “Apo Pule’s Tattoo” –Tattooing in the Philippines was an ancient ritual deep in spiritual meaning. Stories explore the realms of the "Tiyanak", "Manananggal", "Nuno sa Punso", "Kapre", "Kaluluwa" - a positive take on mythical characters from the dark side.