Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?

Whenever I get invited by friends for a weekend getaway to Puerto Galera, I never fail to decline. I don’t know why but Galera, or Gaylera as many would put it, is just not that appealing to me. Until two weekends ago when I decided to give Galera a chance and joined my friends for a drinking weekend. I did not feel like swimming in Galera’s waters so I said that I was just doing an overnight stay. Besides, I had other things to attend to that Sunday. The first and only time I’ve been to Galera (prior to this trip) was in 2005. That trip was, for me, a case of bad things happening to good gay people like me. Charot! The banca we were riding on the way to Galera from Batangas pier stopped in the middle of the sea due to some engine problems. The accommodations were really pathetic. My body was non-cooperative by striking me with fever and extreme headaches. Everywhere I went to dine, it took at least an hour to have my food served. It was chaos. That probably was the reason why I never liked Galera. Until that trip two weeks ago.

I have heard so much about Puerto Galera being the gay mecca of sorts but I didn’t see Galera that way in 2005. So to prepare me for the trip, I did some research and found a gay man’s guide to Galera from Vince of Discreet Manila. The entry proved to be very informative and helpful, as I put it to good use during the trip. Cast those stones at me now but I will tell you that I did not agree into going to Gaylera so I could get laid. I just wanted to get piss drunk (to the nth level, teh!) without worrying how to get home or if I do crazy shiznit. I didn’t get laid but I got really drunk! I had so much fun the night of Saturday that my friends didn’t have a difficult time convincing me to stay for another night. I did, and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable weekend getaways I’ve ever had. I did not get laid, but I had so much fun watching people. As I expected, there were a lot of gay men in Galera that weekend – the weekend after Holy Week – but I was surprised at the number of straight guys (or pa straight?) who were frolicking in the waters of Gaylera. Enter Ajitarazzi, my paparazzi other self. (DISCLAIMER: If you are one of the people in the photographs below and want your photo taken out, please leave a comment or email me at aj@baklaako.com)

The Men in Puerto Galera

Click thumbnails for larger views

No longer boys, but not yet Men.

Cute Straight Guys: Dan (skinhead) and a friend

Guys in Shades

Going Home?

Bortaness

Marcus Madrigal

Guys in Shirts

Project Runway’s Rami Kashou?

Mark

Bonus! Here’s a guy who hopped in our bus in Laguna, on the way back to Manila. He was so hot that I wanted to offer my seat to him and I’d just sit on his lap! Lolz!

So have I changed my views about Puerto Galera? Definitely! And if you ask me now to go on another weekend getaway to Puerto Gaylera, I’d pack my bags right away! Tara na!