Diary - April: Filipina Sex

This April, the plot thickened. Jasmin found a saved voicemail on Carlo’s phone from the ex: “Miss na kita, Carlo. See you sa beach.” (I miss you, Carlo. See you at the beach.)

By the end of April, either they’ll be engaged or broken up. There’s no in-between in Filipino summer love stories. I’m preparing a pansit (noodle dish) for the post-breakup eating session and a lechon manok for the engagement toast. That’s friendship. Storyline #3: The Quiet Crush on the Sari-Sari Store Kuya

This April, the storyline is hugot with a countdown timer. We had our first real fight last week—he forgot my lola’s birthday dinner because he was surfing in La Union. I cried in the CR while my titas whispered, “Day, iwanan mo na ’yan, paasa lang ’yan.” (Leave him, he’s just leading you on.) Filipina Sex Diary - April

I almost died. But here’s the thing about April and quiet love: it’s too hot for big gestures, so the small ones burn brighter. I haven’t told him how I feel. Instead, I visit the store twice a day. I laugh a little too loud at his corny jokes about the weather. I brought Angela a pasalubong from the mall—a cheap toy cellphone that sings “Baby Shark.”

This is the April love story I’m actually rooting for. No flights out of the country. No dramatic exes. Just two people, a sari-sari store counter, and a little girl who’s already planning our wedding. By the end of April, maybe I’ll write my number on a pancit canton wrapper. Or maybe I’ll just keep buying pink lighters. Either way, my heart is finally sweating for the right reasons. Final April Reflection: This April, the plot thickened

Mahal ko kayo. (I love you all.) Stay hydrated. Stay marupok (weak-hearted but hopeful).

This April, the romance is in the details. He started saving the pink lighter for me because he knows I hate the green one. He lets Angela draw on the plastic bags, and last week she handed me one with a crayon heart and the words “Para kay Ate, crush ni Daddy.” (For Ate, Daddy’s crush.) See you at the beach

The romantic storyline here isn’t about cheating—it’s about kaba (anxious butterflies). Jasmin didn’t confront him. Instead, she did what any Filipina in April would do: she invited herself to that beach trip. Now the three of them are in Boracay together. I’ve been getting 3 AM voice messages of Jasmin whisper-shouting from the bathroom: “ATE, NASA KATABI NIYA AKO HABANG KUMUKWENTO SIYA NG MEMORIES NILA!” (SIS, I’M RIGHT NEXT TO HIM WHILE HE’S RECOUNTING THEIR MEMORIES!)