WHAT do you say to 2022 as you say goodbye?
I mean, what do you say when you are Peter Solis Nery, and you think that 2022 is one of your best years?
***
2012 is still one of my best years ever.
In September 2012, I was elevated to the Palanca Awards Hall of Fame, and that’s big because I am a Filipino writer.
In December 2012, my application for a green card in America was approved.
At that time, it was very important for me because I had been working in the US for six years already, and a green card gives one peace of mind in a new country.
***
That I scored two more more Palancas this year, bringing my gold count to 10 (equivalent to two Hall of Fame awards), and raising my Palanca total to 21, well, that makes 2022 an awesome year for me to be a Filipino writer.
That I am able to travel much of the world again, and travel around in the Philippines, what’s not to like about 2022?
***
And again, to see things take shape in my farm property, that’s fun for me, too.
To oversee the construction of a unique treehouse.
And for that house to be admired by people either via social media or through actual visits, what more can you ask of life?
***
So, thank you, 2022, from the bottom of my heart!
True, I’ve lost some people in 2022; but, such is life.
If we can’t move on, we have a problem.
So, again, thank God that I’m still alive.
Thank God for coffee.
For all the things that I enjoy.
***
I thank 2022 for opening my eyes to more injustices.
For the things that I can correct.
For the things that I cannot right.
I mean, I no longer stress myself about people who do not want to be saved.
If the stupids think that they won with their stupidity, that’s good enough for me.
***
Let the fools enjoy that thought while their ship of Unity sinks.
Who am I to ruin their party?
But I’m grabbing the life jackets for me, and those who keep my word.
I’m also closing the doors to Noah’s Ark.
Let the Great Floods begin. Haha!
***
Now, I really wish good things will happen to this country of 31 million.
But I have also moved on politically.
So, if their lives continue to deteriorate in 2023, thank you!
Frankly, I don’t give a damn anymore how their lives turn out.
***
I mean, it looks like prostitution is on the rise, and it’s always a good career option.
You don’t even have to be face-to face to do sex work anymore.
You can just sell nudes, masturbation videos, or do sex collabs for For Fans Only, or Just For Fans, or for Telegram, or whatever apps and sites those are.
***
I’d like to be wrong on this one, but I boldly predict that:
There will be more Filipino prostitutes in 2023;
The average prostitution age will even be younger than 12, despite the increase of the (legal) age of consent to 16;
There will be more gay-for-pay males in the Philippines;
And many of these boys/men will take it up their ass for less than P1,500.
***
Oh, God, let me be wrong.
Let me be very wrong.
Please, please, please.
But these predictions sound so unpredictable, so inevitable.
It’s like a preordained Unity Team victory.
Like a computer-programmed landslide.
36% to 16% in favor of prostitution.
16% for the red onions! Haha.
***
I do not live with regret.
I live every moment of each day.
When I was in Peru checking off the Machu Picchu from my bucket list, I just enjoyed everything.
I kept buying and paying for things.
I listed my every expense, but I didn’t really total them until last week.
***
Surprise, no surprise!
My Peru trip cost more than the whole construction cost of La Choza de Dom Pedro, my stylish treehouse on a hill.
For a second, I thought it was a This or That moment.
Then, quickly, I was snapped back to reality: I wanted both, and I could afford (I did afford!) both!
***
So yeah, thank you, 2022!
You did what you did, I did what I did.
And in the end, I reigned victorious.
You are gone tomorrow, but my heart, and my memory will go on!
I am Peter Solis Nery, and I am Titanic!/PN
