Because I Knew You, I Have Been Changed

Nov
04

Because I Knew You, I Have Been Changed

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Today in 2006, I first met Joel McVie in person. Previous to that, I was an online follower, a blog fan, to his The McVie Show. Reading his posts, I was entertained and inspired. I thought to myself, I would want to have a friend like that. Smart, witty, funny… someone who is so sure of himself, so confident, enough to not take himself too seriously. And so on November 4, 2006, a Saturday, we met. I was accompanied by several friends, one of them was Gibbs Cadiz, who took blogging more seriously just a couple of months before that. So there we were, in Greenbelt, at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, chatting away. It was such a fun first meeting. Little did we know that that one evening would change the course of our lives. At least from my perspective.

* * *

A couple more months after that, I floated the idea of recording gay-themed podcasts — with Joel McVie, Gibbs Cadiz, and I as the original podcasters; the triumvirate later would be named The Troikasters. If you listen to those recordings now, you would see that I was still quite serious, somehow uptight. McVie was already his bubbly, witty self, with countless hirits. And Gibbs? Yeah, he’s the same intellectual, opinionated guy, always ready with his, ermmm, sermons. Hehehe! (Labya Gibbs!) Our combination was almost perfect. Almost – until we met several more entities.

* * *

In a fateful dinner get together somewhere in QC, the then Troikasters met with Corporate Closet. CC was my classmate back in business school (he was our valedictorian!). I arranged the get together knowing that CC was such a great addition to my then-growing set of gay friends. I remember encouraging CC, “Hey, why don’t you blog? You’ve got so much to share! How about focusing on gays in the corporate world?” And so Corporate Closet the Blog was born. Later, we would have him as a guest podcaster, together with Tony, who had started hanging out with us as well. AJ of BaklaAko.com was the last addition to the group — and so there was the end of the original Troikasters, and the start of The Fabcasters. Perfeykshun!

* * *

From then on, mainly due to McVie’s forever growing social circle, the Fabcasters’ circle grew too. Through several get togethers, celebrations, parties, etc., I was able to meet many wonderful personalities that I now consider very good friends. (Shout out to you — Jaybeecc, JC, Narnian, Jamie, Misterhubs, Ruby, Doc Mike, Lance, Teresa, Lukayo, Dats, Euge, John Stan, Tristan, TBR, Ian Mac, Jepoy, Yj, London Boy, Joaqui,…) My friends connected with their friends, who connected with friends of friends, etc. What a wonderful, wonderful network.

* * *

Now, 3 years after that fateful first meeting with McVie, I am here in California, USA. Being alone here somehow gives me the chance of being very clear of mind, of appreciating the beginnings of lifelong friendships I now enjoy. Thanks to Joel McVie, to Gibbs Cadiz, to CC, to Tony, to AJ, to all guest Fabcasters, to our numerous friends, for being a source of love and support. I remember numerous times when life was made better for me because of you guys.

So to you, on the 3rd anniversary of that small event that made all these possible, I dedicate the following song, especially these lines: (from the song For Good, Wicked the musical)

I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…

From the bottom of my heart, I love you guys! *HUGS* To more years of togetherness, to lifelong friendships — CHEERS!

P.S. “Fabcasters: The Fabulous Podcasts” is now available on iTunes. iPod users, come and subscribe! Click here (and please have your iTunes open). Or, just search the word “fabcasters” while you’re in the iTunes store. Enjoy!

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19 Comments So Far

And it has been a great ride knowing each and everyone of you. You have made my life in Manila that much more colorful and insightful! Thank you for letting me be a part of the fabcasters and most especially considering me as a friend.

Tony at Nov 4, 09 at 12:17 am
And so the new era of Fabcasting is born….

Congratulations MGG and the Fabcasters! I look forward to many more fabcasts to come and yes, I will definitely be one of your first fabscribers.

Cheers from chilly DC.

T

Tristan Tan at Nov 4, 09 at 12:26 am
ay, lumabas na ang iTunes logo! miss ka na namin, migs, uwi ka na!

gibbs at Nov 4, 09 at 1:21 am
sana makilala ko rin kayong lahat. sooner not later.

efrenefren at Nov 4, 09 at 1:46 am
Just call me Nokia… connecting people. =)

The ties that bind us, though, are of different strengths. Some easily fray, some are stronger than steel. I think the combination of you, me, Gibbs, Tony, CC, and AJ is something that I feel will last long after we record our last rowdy tete-a-tete. Iba kayo, mga teh. Ibang level.

mcvie at Nov 4, 09 at 2:03 am
this scenario might happen to us here in uae… readers from this side of the world first met last october 25 and cant wait for the next which is set on nov.5. we become good friends in an instant… thanks migs, mcvie and the rest of your circle. you inspired us more to spread… WORLD PEACE!

MrCens at Nov 4, 09 at 2:12 am
i remember when we first met, tony wasn’t even supposed to introduce you as THE manilagayguy. just happened we wanted to watch… something fun. hehe. so i met you and it turned out lovely.

miggs, senti ka!

the bakla review at Nov 4, 09 at 6:03 am
isang bonggang bonggang hearthugs sa iyo! see you when you get back!

you’re a positive influence in my life and i am glad to have been introduced to you.

P.S. I love that song.

i'm a narnian at Nov 4, 09 at 8:49 am
i have been in love with this song ever since my girl officemate introduced me to this musical’s ost. and i hope that the first two lines in the second part of the song won’t be applicable to you guys:

it well may be
that we will never meet again in this lifetime

but i must sing the next lines as you help me “change for the better”:

so much of me
is made of what i learned from you

thanks migs and your blog

karl at Nov 4, 09 at 9:36 am
luv it!!! thanks this Miggs!!!! hoping to see you guys again!!!

we miss you!

Chris-chan at Nov 4, 09 at 11:54 am
That’s a great song from “Wicked”. That and Popular, Defying Gravity.

imladris at Nov 5, 09 at 12:12 am
I love the song too. Perfect. Migs, i want to be part of your group too. i think i can give a scientific point of view. Hehe. but first, i have to answer your email to me.

Teban at Nov 5, 09 at 6:17 am
I feel honored to have been included and considered a Fabcaster (despite my multiple sick leaves, lol). Teh, uwi ka na. We miss you!

AJ at Nov 5, 09 at 7:25 am
Glad to have met you as well!

ruby at Nov 5, 09 at 8:24 am
so what are you doin in fresco? running from some1 in the p.i.?

enjoy fresco, lot of things to see and do there.

korbel at Nov 5, 09 at 2:17 pm
Nice song. I never knew there were so many people have seen/heard (of) Wicked just as I have.

Kudos!

Bien Enamorado at Nov 5, 09 at 6:26 pm
Congratulations Migs…

bunwich at Nov 6, 09 at 12:35 am
Migs,

I truly enjoy your podcasts. A laugh-out-loud witty and intelligent discussion on issues i care for: guys and their dicks.

I only wish you did more of them.

Marco

Marco Jordan at Nov 6, 09 at 2:14 pm
Let’s toast to that! And congrats!

Lasher at Nov 6, 09 at 5:56 pm