Migrating

Call centers and Twilight.

That's what made me decide to return to Manila. It has been more than three centuries since my last visit here. The  place was in shambles then, but now, it's finally taking shape - well, not in a way that would show off proper urban planning, but it's definitely something.

The deal with being a vampire is that everyone expects you to be some kind of millionaire who's living in a castle filled with sports cars. But I was not born into wealth and while I have amassed a hefty sum of money, I still have to earn a living - to pay for my new condo and various expenses. Besides, living in a castle is kind of passe now - and very conspicuous.

So I now have a condo in Makati. Two-bedroom bachelor pad so to speak. The view is pretty nice (vantage point) and it's near the call center where I'm working and several bars and clubs where I usually hang out when I'm hungry. The dues are also nosebleed level, not to mention the electric bill. I don't understand why a Third World country has these high rates. It's not like you're in Tokyo or some other business district.

Anyway, I work in a call center. Already supervisory level. It pays off when you've spent quite a lot of time in the US. I work there because of course I prefer the graveyard shift plus you're always surrounded by a lot of people. But as a rule I don't taste co-workers or call center agents for that matter. Body's too toxic - blood doesn't taste right.

I was tired of living in Brazil. Got sick of the beach, though its high model population is pretty cool. You see, it's not true that vampires die when left under the sun. It's just a matter of choice and trend. In Brazil, I was pretty tan. You have to be, to attract women/victims. During the earlier years, vampires stayed away from the sun to keep their skin pale. It was the trend back then. Most of the sought-after people (stars, high society) were mostly white. You have to blame the movie industry for that. Since films were still in black and white at that time, you had to be real pale to stand-out in the set or the scene. The same trend was seen in Asia, with the Geishas (who were also performers), etc. Until now, Asian people seem to aspire for fair complexion. That's why I had to buy a lot of peeling products when I got here.

Yes, vampires are pretty vain. It's necessary for our survival. That Vampire Diaries mind-control trick is all bullshit. Real vampires work real hard to perfect the art of seduction. We also have to be like chameleons, adjusting to whomever we choose to be with. And that brings us to Twilight. While I hated the book and the movie (text and acting were horrible), I have to thank its popularity for bringing us into the mainstream. Now, I can "act" like a vampire, crack some vampire jokes and pick-up lines without getting that nervous vibe.

First day I walked into the office, women were checking me out. I could read their minds - no, not really. I could read their body language. I knew they all wanted me. Of course after getting that first taste, I decided that call center agents were pretty unhealthy. I moved on to collegialas. They're pretty easy to find at night, partying at a nearby club.

Now before, you people judge me, I do not kill people. I just take a pint or so and let them be. Besides, it's good for them (not to mention I can get a second filling next time we meet again). It's like donating blood every month or so. It cleans your system. Now for the puncture marks...good thing there's booze, drugs and vampire fetishists.