HEROES

A nurse, a cheerleader, a stripper, a cop, a professor, a painter, a clerk, a politician, a smart kid and a convict. Ordinary people doing ordinary things, watching the world go by, knowing that they're just like everybody else. Probably, they're just like me. Or you.

Or not.

Spotted a friend in a coffee shop in the south, after I've donated what seemed like a gallon of blood at the nearby hospital, while waiting for the rest of my brothers and sisters from the late Talamasca to arrive. It was more or less a sedentary night when I rang him up (to confirm that it was really him, for my name-face recall sucks). "Look to your left. Outside." And there it was - a handsome face with a warm smile. It was really him.

Our conversation traversed the universe, even touching up on heaven and hell. And then, out of the blue, he mentioned this single word that caught my deafening ears. Heroes. He claimed that it was one of the best, if not the best, series that he'd seen. He mentioned something about a guy who paints the future when he's "high," a man who can fly, a teenager who can regenerate, a woman with an evil alterego, and a fellow who can somehow absorb the powers of the other "heroes." His enthusiasm was almost funny that I knew I just had to get my hands on this Heroes stuff. And I did.

Will and Grace can kiss their pedestal goodbye. I watched the first nine episodes from 5 am to what it seemed like early afternoon. I was screming at the end of the 9th episode. I wrestled with my pillows and kept on screaming under them. I want so bad to watch some more.

They don't have silly capes. They do not wear their undergarments on top of their trousers. They do not try to conceal their identity. They're your everyday person, and more.

I had to watch the episodes over and over again to try to contain my self. And I soon found out that this addiction's contagious. Like fire consuming dessert grass.

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Weeks after, I was able to find a copy of Episodes 10-13. It came as a surprise no-occassion gift. I was ecstatic! But thern it was short-lived. Soon I was screaming my head off again. I was hooked! It's like giving a stick a day to a cigarette junkie.

* * * * * * * * *

Anne Rice Philippines was the newest member of The New Worlds Alliance. And so was Heroes Philippines. *gasp* In a second I was already a member, lurking in the shadows, trying to stay away from posts tagged as spoilers.

I attended the thon and was able to catch episodes 14-17. Countless gasps and imploding screams later, I was more hooked than ever. And the people who make up the group are charming and witty and funny. I love them already!

Then the launch happened. It was easily one of the best nights of my mundane life. Bands, chats, beer, Episode 1 - ah, clearly it was a foolproof event. But what I appreciate the most were the people from Heroes Philippines. They're just the most precious little devils. I spent the night laughing my a$$ out, relaxing to the beautiful noise the bands created, knocking over bottles of beer as if I haven't had one in a year. My slip-of-the-tongue suggestion to go to KTV afterwards materialized. My brother, who arrived just when the last band was almost done with their set, obviously had so much fun as well.

If only the night didn't have to end.

I can't help but but feel that I've found new brothers and sisters I'll definitely have fun with. Somehow a ray of light is peeping through my mundane existence. And it's a lovely feeling.