I AM ORANGE: Tell Me What You Want Behind the Seen

I AMORANGETell Me What You Want by MochaBehind the Seen p. 1







by Mocha p. 5



Tell Me What You Want Behind the Seen p. 7



Contents p. 11 p. 13Orange. p. 23Foreward:Setting the Scene p. 25 p. 47Texter Theater: p. 129Performing “Friendship” via p. 151Text Messages p. 203 p. 219 Act 1 p. 223 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Final ActMost Used Wordsfrom the Text ExchangeAfterword:Through Orange-Tinted Glasses p. 9

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ORANGE.In the visual arts, it refers to a color that sitssomewhere within the spectrum of yellow andred. It is also a pigment that can be producedby mixing those two primary colors.In psychology, the color denotes warmth,enthusiasm—it energizes and grabs attention.In botany, it is a fruit of genus Citrus.In Tell Me What You Want, David’s film projectthat I worked on, it was both a physicalbackdrop and a feeling. A mood that wasthreaded into the whole experience: fromdata-gathering and filming, to editing, screen-ing, and exhibition. p. 11

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FOREWORD:SETTING THE SCENEHey, friend! I’m Mocha. I live in Quezon City andcome from a middle-class background. I wasborn to a Filipino-Itawis father from CagayanValley in Luzon, the north island of the Philip-pines, and a Manila-raised Filipina mother withSpanish and Japanese lineage. My ethnicity isa mix of many things, as with most modern-dayFilipinos—a result of our country’s colonialhistory.Here is a quick summary of that history, where Iskip the part of how the soil turned red from ourattempts at revolution in response to this coloni-zation project started by the Iberian powers. Feelfree to fill in the blanks and use your imagination.So just to give an overview:Pre-colonial Philippines was a group of islandsmade up of independent regions ruled by dif-ferent kingdoms which had their own distinctlanguages, beliefs, and cultures. These islandswere also teeming with natural resources andwere in a strategic location in terms of traderoutes = a prize catch for the foreign colonizers. p. 13

Due to these islands’ geographical proximity toeach other, Spain deemed to box all of theseislands under “one country” (after all, it musthave seemed easier to conquer 1 country versus7,000+ islands) and named it “Las Islas Filipinas”after their ruler, King Philip I.The Philippines was a Spanish colony for 300years (1521-1898), then thereafter sold by Spainto the United States of America for 20million dol-lars. We were given our “independence” by theUS in 1941, after which we were occupied by theJapanese Axis forces in 1942 during the Sec-ond World War, until the American Allied forces“liberated” us and officially announced our inde-pendence (again?!) in July 1945.A month later, in August 1945, the US droppedtwo atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,which prompted Japan to finally surrender. Thiscomes 3 months after the surrender of GermanAxis forces in Europe, in effect prompting theend of World War II.Most of the Philippines’ current economic, so-ciocultural, and political issues can trace theirroots from this extremely violent colonial past.p. 14

I first met David in January 2016 in an art galleryin Malate, Manila, when I went for an interviewfor an artist assistant job, through a referral froma colleague. At first I was nervous because Ididn’t know what to expect: I’ve worked withartists of various nationalities before, but thiswould be the first time I would be working withsomeone from Taiwan. Because David lookedstrict and quite serious, I presented myself asproperly, and spoke as formally, as possible.But then David began to explain the experimen-tal film project he wanted to do which wouldbe a 4-part mock documentary based on thelives of the “marketing boys” in Malate. He hadalready established contact with a willing groupof participants, the marketing boys along NakpilSt. and Bocobo St., who were led and mentoredby their oldest member Junio, and we would beengaging with them to learn more about theirexperiences, hopes, and dreams.It would be an artistic investigation of “Tell mewhat you want”—the phrase the marketing guysused on David (and most foreigners) as a wayof offering their services, and where non-verballanguage, or the eyes—the way they looked atyou to signal desire—were used together withthis phrase to grab the attention of customers. p. 15

Services offered by the marketing boys rangedfrom accompanying guests to the nearest moneychanger or bringing them to a restaurant or bar,to catering to more red-light-district needs.In exchange for these services, a tip is expected,or the boys get a small percentage from theguest’s total bill, given by the establishmentwhich they have successfully marketed to theguest.Throughout our conversation, I also sharedmy own experiences since I was also active inthe Malate nightlife scene during my universitydays. According to the Wikipedia entry on Malate:“During the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos,visual and performing artists found a haven inMalate in the 1980s and it became a bohemianenclave and safe haven. Malate is continuouslytransforming itself as the center of recreationand entertainment for Manila with more restau-rants, boutiques, bars, discos and novelty storesopening for business. The block bounded by thestreets; Maria Orosa, Julio Nakpil, Adriatico andRemedios has become synonymous with ‘streetparties,’ al fresco dining, street dancing andconcerts.” I experienced this personally in thelate 90s and early to mid 2000s. Malate was apopular nightlife spot then. I attended everythingp. 16

from art exhibits, poetry readings, live musicand clubbing events, street parties, and LGBTQcelebrations. Malate was considered a safespace for the LGBTQ community and was a hostof Pride marches.The Malate I knew was very different from theMalate that I experienced in 2016, which hadbeen reduced to girly bars and macho dancingclubs, mostly for sex tourism. No more culturalevents.I was aware of the existence of Malate’s market-ing boys but admittedly took this for granted,plainly and simply accepting it as part of theharsh realities of Manila life since it is somethingI’ve grown up with. It was interesting for me thatDavid wanted to look at this concept in a deeperway and I wanted to be part of the project asmy curiosity was piqued. Through David’s wayof looking at Malate as an outsider, it would alsobe an opportunity for me to look at Malate with afresh set of eyes and hopefully learn somethingnew from it. p. 17

For the film project with David, I played the roleof Mocha, his artist assistant who did multipleroles as interviewer/correspondent, translator,researcher, and project manager.Mocha was the name given to me by a Malatemama-san because of a misheard word. Theaccidental change in name was useful for me,as it added a layer of protection to my role ascorrespondent and translator: coming from anacademic/artistic researcher base layer, I nowhad the space to be more “street” becauseof the personal nickname. As Mocha, theway I spoke and the words I used changed tomatch that of my respondents. Under this newlayer, I was able to engage with the rest of themarketing boys more successfully, but for somereason remained aloof the most with Junio. Ibelieve they as a group remained suspiciousof me because I was the only female in thegroup—immediately an outsider—as well as thegatekeeper of information—as David’s translatorI could understand everything they were sayingand could easily rat on them, or worse, inventstories to poison David’s ear. I also had directaccess to David as his assistant and had directinfluence on how pasalubong (small gifts) andtalent fees were disbursed. In some ways, themarketing boys were warmer and acted moreenthusiastically around David (foreigner, butmale and the “director”) than around me (local,but female and the assistant).p. 18

I studied social sciences and cultural studies inthe national university which was founded by theAmericans in 1908. I grew up bilingual—able toread, write, and speak fluently in both Filipinoand English because of the privileges I was borninto, including access to university educationand Western mass media.When encountering native English speakers,they assume I grew up in the US or Europe.When encountering other Asians, they assumeI travel a lot or studied abroad. When I doresearch work in some communities in thePhilippines, they are quick to recognize myEnglish fluency and Manileña-Tagalog and soimmediately brand me as an outsider.In all of these encounters, I often feel like I don’tquite belong anywhere, existing along the spec-trum of other people’s assumptions, while at thesame time it gives me an advantage as it helpsme gain entry to various situations. In effect, Ioften have to consciously change the way I nor-mally speak depending on who I am talking to,to be able to gain my respondents’ trust. I haveto find ways to switch between filters and rolesas needed, as seamless as I codeswitch frommy native tongue to the colonizer’s language. p. 19

To film our interviews, we painted the wallsof the room an orange color. David thought itwould make a good backdrop as it would matchwell with the warm skin tone of our Filipinointerviewees. I agreed. Sure enough, on-screen,the orange color added a certain liveliness to theotherwise stark content of the mise-en-scene.As Mocha the third POV, I was like that orangewall, silent in some parts but also “coloring”the room the actors were in, the same way myfiltering of the conversation and my translationdirectly or indirectly shaped the story. I did mybest to make the translations and interpretationsas neutral as my efforts could achieve, explain-ing to David especially all the possible contextsof some situations to make sure he understoodwhat was happening in real-time. Although somemedia theorists say it is impossible to be neutraleven for journalists. Everything we do and say iscolored by our histories and dispositions.p. 20

In the following pages is the abridged textexchange between Junio and David which I wasnot called on to translate or comment on untilthe final phases of film production and for thepurposes of this publication. If we can considerthe film, the mock documentary, as the actualperformance, the contents of this text are thebehind-the-scenes shots acted out by David andJunio in the backstage, away from the audience.In dramaturgy, often, particularly in two-way,mediated exchanges, such as phone, text orchat, actors often have to imagine the ‘reflection’they are having on another’s mind. This is be-cause the actor is missing the non-verbal cuesthat usually take place during live interaction. Inthe next few pages, you will see how Junio andDavid engage in this dramaturgy as they try tonegotiate and re-negotiate a deal that seems fairto both of them, behind a digital screen, underthe blanket of “friendship” and “family”, in alanguage that is both not their primary one, intext-speak.Towards the end, you will see how sometimeseven if we think we are speaking the samelanguage, we are actually not. And the resultingbreakdown in communication is not a big explo-sion or immediately evident.Sometimes, this breakdown happens in smallincrements, in between shades.####Quezon City19 July 2018 p. 21

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TEXTER THEATER:PERFORMING“FRIENDSHIP” VIATEXT MESSAGESDavid first met Junio in Malate, while he waswalking around alone, on the evening of No-vember 31, 2015. It was David’s first time to visitManila.This and his ensuing encounters with the othermarketing guys of Malate prompted him to starta film project, whose final output became themock documentary, “Tell Me What You Want”,which has been screened internationally but notyet in the Philippines as of time of writing.In the following pages are excerpts from thevirtual correspondence between David andJunio, via SMS and Facebook Messenger, fromDecember 2015 until he finished shooting thefilm in July 2016.The messages were compiled from David’smobile phone and laptop. Great care was takento present the text as closely as possible to howthey were originally typed by the two protago-nists.Please take note of this legend when readingthe exchange:J = JunioD = David p. 23

Junio gives David his business card in front of the 7-Eleven at Nakpil St. cor. Bocobo St. on November 31, 2015. The story of their unconventional friendship begins here.p. 24

31 November 2015 2 Dec- The first text message5 January 2016 p. 25

Act 1p. 26

2 Dec 2015, Wed 17:38D: Hi Junio, it was nice to meeting you last night and thanks for riding me back!! This is my number. David. 18:03J: Ok David, thanks for the greeting. D: Will you be there tonight? 19:44J: How are you tonight David? I’m here now in Malate. D: Ok, I am having dinner with a friend, maybe see you when I finish.J: Ok my friend, I wait your message later. 23:51 D: Hey Junio, I go back home first! Nice to see you again and good guess - I’m a filmmaker! Will check if I can see you tomorrow, if not, see you in the middle of December! Keep in touch and take care! David. p. 27

4 Dec 2015, Fri 13:51J: Hello my friend, how are u? D: Hi friend! I’m good! Now in the airport on the way back to Taiwan. See you next time in the middle of December ok?J: Ok my friend, always take care see u soon... D: Take care too! Will let you know when I’m coming back! Really happy to meet you!J: Ok I tell to my family. When u come back here in the Phil.I invite u in my house. D: Let’s keep in touch.J: Ok my friend!p. 28

7 Dec 2015, Mon 1:17J: My friend, how are u? I heard here that many cellphone inTaiwan is cheap? It is true? Because my cellphone not goodcondition. I need to change my cellphone. 9:16 D: Good morning. I don’t really know about the cellphone price here.Do you mean smart phone? It might be cheaper in China if you buy it in a second hand market. p. 29

9 Dec 2015, Wed 9:20J: Really I need to change my cellphone. Second hand or newis ok to me.p. 30

10 Dec 2015, Thu 11:53D: Is there any cellphone brand you prefer and budget/price you think it’s ok? I can do some research when I have free time. p. 31

14 Dec 2015, Mon 17:45J: How are you my friend?p. 32

15 Dec 2015, Tue 8:54 D: Hi friend, I am fine, just had a very busy week! But I am going to Manila today! :) 21:53 D: How are you doing Junio? I just arrived Manila.J: How are you David? I’m here now working Malate. Whereare you? Where’s my chocolate coming from Taiwan? Joke.I’m just kidding. D: Malate too. I don’t like typhoon. It rains everywhere!J: Yes now 2 typhoons coming. D: Omg… 2 typhoons??J: Yes. D: There must be no people in the bar area, right? p. 33

17 Dec 2015, Thu 21:52 D: Are you in Malate?p. 34

18 Dec 2015, Fri 22:40J: Good evening my friend, how are u? D: I’m good but still stuck in Makati, but it rains crazily and I am still waiting for a taxi. Are you in Malate already?J: Yes David. D: I will be there later.J: Ok take care, because it’s raining now. D: Thanks!J: David are u still stuck in taxi? p. 35

19 Dec 2015, Sat 0:55 D: Finally I got one!J: Good. 3:22J: David, sorry tomorrow cancel our plan because my sister-in-law wants to go anywhere with my family. I really very sorryDavid we make another plan the other day. 9:10 D: Ok, no problem and it’s raining! Are you going to Malate tonight? 15:52J: David good afternun. I’m going to Malate now. 17:12J: Where are u David? D: I’m at my place, you?J: I’m here at 7-11. D: Ok, I go there around 6:30pm.J: Ok David, I pick you up in your place if u want to. D: Sweet! Let’s meet at my place at 6:40pm? Ok for you?J: I go now if u want. D: No problem, see you in a bit.J: Wait heavy rain again, wait me there. D: Yeah suddenly! @@ 18:37J: I’m here now in your place.p. 36

20 Dec 2015, Sun 18:58J: Gudevening David, how are u? 20:11 D: I’m good, how are you? Malate now?J: Yes, where are u? D: I’m having dinner with a friend around, see you at 7-11 later.J: Ok David. p. 37

21 Dec 2015, Mon 1:53 D: Are you still there? I’m just on the way back from Cubao.p. 38

22 Dec 2015, Tue 6:17J: Hello David good morning. Sorry last time. My cellphonelow battery that’s why cannot read your message. How are youDavid? 23:32 D: I am good, you? Just came back to Taipei and a bit busy.J: I’m in Malate. I’m sorry for disturbing you. D: No worries.J: I’m fine, Jan. 6 you come back again here? D: I didn’t book the ticket yet, but definatly around that time.J: I see, ok just message me if you get the ticket. D: Ok!J: Take care. D: Happy Holidays!! p. 39

25 Dec 2015, Fri 10:24J: How are you David? Have a nice day. 16:13 D: I’m good! Merry Christmas!p. 40

26 Dec 2015, Sat 21:57J: David good evening, how are you? Are you busy? 22:05 D: I’m good, had some dinners with friends in the weekend! You? I saw your photos with family! Wonderful X’mas! 23:31J: Thank you David. How are you? Always take care. p. 41

28 Dec 2015, Mon 21:33J: Have a good day David. D: You too!p. 42

29 Dec 2015, Tue 3:20J: Finish work David many friends coming. Very busy. No sleep1AM ARRIVED MALATE TO GIUDE ALL FRIENDS COMING YESTER-DAY. HEHEHE. ALWAYS TAKE CARE.. GOODNIGHT. p. 43

30 Dec 2015, Wed 14:54J: Happy New Year David. Always take care coz I care. D: Sounds like you had a busy weekend! Nice weather? Thanks, hope you have a wonderful 2016!!!!p. 44

3 Jan 2016, Sun 8:29J: Good morning David, have a nice and day for us. Take careHappy New Year to us. D: Thanks! See you soon next week!J: Always take care. See u next week we will wait for you. p. 45

5 Jan 2016, Tue 13:23J: David how are you?J: Good also. Are you busy? D: I’m good, you? D: Yeah.J: I’m only in my house. Later I go to work. 14:31 D: Cool! How is the weather there? 15:33J: Good weather now. No rain. When you coming here? D: Tomorrow!J: Wow... I’m excited to see you again. I’m little bit sleepy.If you are not busy. Give me a message later. See you tmr.Always take care. D: Me too. Wanna see you and start to do some interviews and talk more with you!p. 46

6 January 2016 25 March 2016 p. 477 Jan - Junio gives David a bracelet in Malate Church10 Jan - First visit to Junio’s house16 Jan - First meeting with Mocha19 Jan - First interview with young marketing boys24 Jan - Junio’s interview in Malabon2 Feb - Start building shop in mother-in-law’s backyard15 Feb - Sending money via Mocha

Act 2p. 48

6 Jan 2016, Wed 22:12J: Ok David! Just text me if you are here in Malate. 23:12 D: Are you there now?J: Yes David, where are u? D: I’m at the gallery.J: Are u finish there? If u don’t mind, I pick u up there. 23:51J: I’m here now in front of gallery. p. 49

7 Jan 2016, Thu 15:42J: Gudafternun Cheng. Are u ready to church? D: Yeah, I can go soon. Are you in Malate already?J: Yes I go now to pick u up. D: Changing my clothes. See you in a bit. 16:23J: I’m here now in front of your place. Come here. 21:57J: Are u busy? 23:36 D: Sorry, I just saw the message. Now back to home and go sleep soon! How is the business today?J: Not good bussiness.p. 50