Won Bin Voted Favorite Asian Star
15 Apr 2005
KFCC Feature

Actor Won Bin has topped the list in the Favorite Asian Stars category of the 2005 Most Adorable Men poll conducted by the famous Japanese fashion magazine Anan. Of the 15,038 respondents, 1,080 chose Won as their pick. The results of the poll were published in the May edition of the magazine on April 13th.

The runner-up was Park Yong-ha (894 votes), followed by Bae Yong-jun (813 votes), Hong Kong star Tony Leung (625 votes), and Lee Byung-heon (530 votes). Four of the top-5 Favorite Asian Stars were Korean hallyu stars, whose popularity is remaining as high as before despite the strained relations between Korea and Japan over the Dokdo issue.

In the Most Adorable Men category of the same-titled poll, the top spot was taken by the Japanese star Kimura Takuya for the 12th consecutive year. He also topped the Man You Want to Embrace the Most and Best Lover lists.

She walked in to their apartment at around 1:30 in the morning. It was dark, but it didn't feel dark. For Paige, the house was all lit with wonderful memories of her and Ian. In her mind, she could see Ian desperately trying to cook her breakfast. She could see herself sitting on the living room couch reading a book with Ian sleeping on her lap. She could smell the paint as she and Ian painted their calendar wall. This place became her source of joy for the past weeks.

Tears fell from her eyes.

She's leaving.

She slowly walked toward their sofa and sat on her favorite spot beside the lamp. She was trying to remember how everything looked and felt. At least she could hold on to that. She looked at the picture that she took of her and Ian by the patio. She remembered how good it felt to have her arm around Ian's neck. How good he smelled. Their smiles on the photo was sincere. She thought about what Ian said about pictures. How it was a like a book without words, of people's good experiences. How every photo is a memory of one good moment to another. You never take pictures when you're sad, or having a bad day, he said, for me personally, people with many photo albums are the happiest. She laughed at this thought before, but now, she wished she'd taken more pictures.

"Paige," she said standing up. "Memory lane is closed."

She placed the picture back on the side table, but it fell straight to the hardwood floor. The wooden frame fell apart, fortunately the glass didn't break.

"Shit!"

She kneeled down and started picking up the pieces of the picture frame. The frame was not damaged, it was just dismantled. Paige thought it was a little funny. Was it a sign from God?

"Funny," she said smiling.

While picking up the picture, she notices a small 4 by 4 envelope that was sealed about 5 times with tape. She flipped the envelope over and written on it was "Don't open until our 30th annviersary!"

It was like a punch in the gut for Paige. Her eyes started to form tears, but she was smiling. She couldn't believe that there was a time when Ian thought they'd last 30 years. It was overwhelming. It was overwhemingly painful. Wait... No, it was just painful.

"Well, looks like our 3oth anniversary won't be happening," Paige tore the sides of the envelope, "so what the hell?"

It was a note written on the yellow cardboard coaster of David's club. It read:

7/26/04 You've never looked more beautiful tonight. And I've never been more in love.

Paige started to cry. And not just tears falling slowly, but really bawling. She couldn't breathe. Ian wrote that note 2 weeks ago from today. The night they spent with their hands super glued together. The night they spent in each others arms. The night they made love in his hole. The night Ian realized he was falling in love with her.

That night had been a complete waste.

Attention Friends: May nakatalo na po sa Meteor Garden as my all time # 1 Asian Series.



I never thought it would be possible, pero yes mga kaibigan, tinalo niya ang Meteor Garden. Parang ang sarap pala ng kilig na tumatawa ka, kesa kilig na naiiyak. Hehehe. So ngayon ang rating na ng Favorite Asian Series ko ay...

1. Full House
2. Meteor Garden
3. The Poor Prince
4. Love Storm
5. A Promise of Love at the Dolphin Bay
6. Lavender
7. Meteor Garden 2
8. Mars
9. Lovers in Paris
10. Endless Love Autumn in my Heart

I'm so happy!!! Sobrang kilig. Haaaaay... Hehehehe! One day I'm going to have my own Full House.

...like a new snow falling, softly, 'round me. A second chance to make things all right.

I was a little suprised when I saw him outside our house. Am I dreaming?

"I came to return the books my sister borrowed," he said softly with a shy smile.

"Oh, okay..." I tried to smile sincerely, but seeing him just made me want to come up to him and put my arms around him.

I opened the gate. He walked in. It felt strange that I had to open the gate for him when he just freely walks in and out before. We sat on the chairs outside by the freaky plants. I didn't want to make him come in because I knew he wouldn't stay long. I don't want to impose.

"So, how've you been?" He asked me.

"I'm owk. My cousins are here... I have a new sched... It gives me time to do stuff in the afternoon..."

"Talaga? Hassle! Bakit ngayon pa? Hehehehehe!" His laugh was sincere. It made me wonder if I laughed along with him, he'd notice I'd been enjoying our 3 minutes together and get iritated. "So how's work?"

"Eto... Magreresign na ako."

"Ha? Sure ka? Eh di good for you!" he said. "Where do you plan to transfer?"

"Wala pa... I'm still going to look..." Then I told him all my plans. He was listening intently. Looking straight into my eyes. It was weird. Having him close again.

"You're not happy with your work anymore?" he asked. "Eh just a few months ago you seemed so happy there. What about you're friends? Quitting would be like going back to square one."

Salamat sa suporta ah! Manakot ba?

"I know it's going to be hard as hell," I sighed. "But as Jinggay always said, if you're literally dragging yourself to work, eh di quit."

"Grabe ka naman!" he said jokingly. I can see his effort in trying to lighten my mood. "Talaga lang ah, you're literally dragging yourself to work?! Hahahahaha!" Then he did an imitation of someone trying to carry himself.

I smiled. It was nice to hear his laugh again. Although at the back of my head, I was afraid that all of this could be another dream. Another tricks my mind plays with my heart.

"Do you think I'm making a mistake?" I asked him. "Do you think I should just tough it out?"

His face became serious. He looked straight at me with obvious concern in his eyes.

"I think if it's causing your eyes to look as tired and sad as they are now, then quit."

Nahiya naman ako... I turned away.

"Hay nako..." I sighed. "I hate when people say that. It's just their polite way of saying you look like shit."

"Hahahahahaha! Wala akong sinabing ganyan ah."

I laughed. I looked at my watch. I was silently praying that if this night were to end, let it end now, while we're having fun. Please let me have a good memory of this night.

"Bakit?" he asked, "may lakad ka ba?"

"Uhhh... Wala," I said. "Magma-mass kasi kami."

He stood up, ready to leave. He was doing that thing with his face again. Yung nakakunot noo niya. That's exactly how he looks when I wake him up. It was like ruining a bad moment for him. Ooooy, feel na feel mo naman, GayGo.

"Sige, I'll leave na..."

He started fixing his shirt. I wanted to ask him something... Why are you here? Why didn't you greet me on my birthday. Why now? He put his hand inside his pocket. I could hear his hand searching for his car keys.

GayGo, no! Tumahimik ka! Subukan mo lang...

"Sige ah..." he started walking towards the gate. "Thanks nalang for the book ah..."

Gaygo wag! Wag na wag mong sasabihin... Bad spirit, lumayo ka!

He had his foot oustide the gate.

"Teka!!!" I called out.

He turned towards me, I don't know if I was imagining it, but I thought he smiled.

"Bakit?"

GayGo, ano ka ba?! Para kang tanga! Sabihin mo wala! Just say goodbye!

"Uhhh... Nagsimba ka na?" I asked.

"Hehe, hindi pa nga eh..."

Awkward moment ever. Parang di ko na alam talaga kung ano sasabihin kong next...

Wag mo na sabihin yung alam kong gusto mo sabihin. Wag na wag mong sasabihin...

"Gusto mo mag-mass?" I tried to look adorable. But really, I felt like throwing up.

"Sige!" He quickly closed the gate and walked back towards me.

"Magbibihis lang ako, wait lang, pasok ka muna."

We came up the stairs. He waited oustide by the memorable couch kung saan nagunaw ang mundo ko before. He was watching TV. Gulintang naman ang mga tao sa bahay diba? He rode with us on the way to church. Suprisingly, we were early kasi mabilis nagsikilos lahat and we had a place to sit. Ayan nanaman... Naamoy ko nanaman siya. Haaaaay...

During the offering, they played my favorite mass song. (I'm not sure about the lyrics ah... This is purely from memory.)

Take and receive oh Lord, my liberty
Take all my will, my heart, my memory
All things I own
And all I own are thine
Thine was the gift to thee
I all reside
Do thou direct
And govern all and sway
Do what thou wilt command
And I obey
Only thy grace
Thine love on me bestow
These make me rich
All else will I forego

Sobra akong na-sad sa kanta. Feeling ko naiiyak na ako. It was so swak kasi to what I'm going through right now. Parang hindi ko na alam kung ano gusto kong gawin and parang ang sarap nalang isurrender lahat and bahala na kung ano mang will ni God.

He looked at me while the song was playing kasi he gave me a P20 bill para ibigay sa nagko-collect like he always used to. Natawa ako ng konti kasi parang nung bata ako na yung mom or dad ko yung nagaabot sakin ng barya para may mabigay ako sa collection. Hahahaha.

Again, napaka-familiar...

"Oh, bat ganyan mukha mo?" he asked.

React naman ang lola mo, "Ano?! Huh, eh bakit ganyan mukha mo?!"

He laughed then pinched my right ear. He was sitting by left so in order for him to touch my right ear, he had to slightly put his arm around me. Naks! Slight lang...

"Hehe, I mean, bakit para kang iiyak?"

"Bakit ba nangenge-alam ka?" I rolled my eyes at him, (he knew I was kidding), and he laughed again.

During the peace be with you part, he kissed me sa cheek. Waaaaaaaaah! Ano ba! Nakaka-asar! Pero sa totoo lang, during that time, no pun intended na talaga lahat ang cherva ko. Masarap mang isipin na, yun na nga, pero heller! Magtigil dabaa?

On the way home, siya na ang nag-drive. We decided to buy some Baliwag for dinner nalang sa house. Usap-usap... Nag-comment siya sa CR-V bakit ang dumi-dumi daw. And hindi siya naniniwala na hindi chameleon ang color. Hehehehe.

On the way home after we bought the chicken, I just suddenly sang New Snow. It was sang kasi in Eastwood by someone during the Wave Anniversary Party. I just suddenly remembered it. The lyrics go... Like the new snow, falling... New love is falling.... A second chance to make things all right... Make things all right... I know, I know... Not a good song to sing with HIM sitting right beside me, pero promise unconsciously ko yun nagawa!

"Alam mo, I visit your blog everyday?"

Gulat ako! What a thing to say... Waaaaaaaah!

"Talaga?" I said then slapping my forhead with my hand. "Nakakahiya naman!"

He was smiling, but he was serious. (Ngek! Parang ang labo dabaaa?)

"Parang nafi-feel ko nga na confused ka," he said.

Quiet lang ako. Oh my Lord, are we going to have the talk?

"Di naman masyado..." I said. "I just feel like I need a change. Hindi na ako masaya sa buhay ko ngayon." Teka, napaka-suicidal ata ng dating nun ah. "I mean sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko..." At shempre biglang pahabol pa... "Work-wise."

"Ikaw lang naman ang nagco-control ng happiness mo diba?"

Wushuuuu... Not all the time. Hehe! Love you!

"I just want a second chance," sabi ko for God knows bakit. "I deserve a second chance naman, diba?"

He looked at me, (at shempre dapat may drama pang kasama!)

"Oo naman."

Nakuuuuuu... Ano ba ito. Lord, why me?

...I don't want to say goodbye, I'm gonna miss you so much.
We've known each other since Grade 1. We've been kabarkadas since 1st year High School. Kisa's moving to the States to live there for good and marry his forever boyfriend Alex. I'm happy for Kisa. I know that not being away from Alex for the past weeks is hard for Kees. And let's face it, they'll have a much better future there, than here in the Phils. But why do they have to move there so soon. Waaaaaaaaah!
I remember sleeping over at Kisa's house every Friday when we were in second year and third year. I don't exactly know why we started calling each other Madel (which FYI is the name of our other kabarkada), but dabaaaaa, just imagine having a pet name for each other that is actually another person's name. I wonder how Madel feels about that. Hehe.