One of the first few blogs I got hooked on when I started my own almost two years ago belongs to an incredibly funny, talented man known to thousands by his nom de plume, Batjay.
A Filipino expatriate then working as an engineer in Singapore, Batjay quickly felt like an old friend even if we had never met (and chances were we would never meet). There was just something about his distinctly Filipino sense of humor -- earthy, even raunchy, but never cruel or humiliating -- that was familiar and most comforting to an immigrant like myself. And just like someone you've known forever, he's open about what he loves about life; among them good food (likes 'em spicy!), great music (with a preference for classic rock) and his gentle, caring wife Jet.
Almost the same time last year he posted that he had accepted a new job and was moving to California, all the way down south to my neck of the woods, in fact. Not only was he relocating to the same county I live in, but we would be sharing the same zip code. So now Batjay is almost quite literally my next-door neighbor (he lives a minute-walk up the hill from me; in fact, if his front door faced the opposite direction he would easily be able to see mine).
It's always wonderful to discover that someone you like from afar is actually someone you like up close as well; it's not often that the persona and the person match in this PR-focused world. Batjay does love good food (although for health reasons he now indulges only rarely, his daily fare is much more spartan than he would probably prefer), great music (I envy his collection of rare Jingle music magazines from the '70s and '80s), and his wife, a most wonderful woman indeed. The only surprise is that he has a rather shy, introspective side and when in the company of people he tends to lean back, listen, and laugh rather than regale the crowd with bawdy humor. But he does like to laugh.
Despite having one of the most popular Pinoy blogs on the planet, Batjay is not one to elbow his way into the spotlight and I suspect would even be uncomfortable being the center of attention. 
Which is possibly why despite the fact that I am his neighbor, I had no idea he recently had a slim book of his stories and musings published in the Philippines (I had to read about it from Manolo Quezon, who wrote the foreword).
So if you reside over there, and see a copy, pick one up; Quezon says it's priced at only Php 100.00 each (about $2.00). But because there are no plans as of yet to distribute it here, I may just have to swipe one of Batjay's personal copies the next time I drop by his place. And maybe even one of his Jingle magazines, too.
hi gigi.
thank you for the very kind words. sorry that i didn't tell you about the book - you might have noticed by now, i am a bit shy in person and you're right, i don't want to be in the spotlight too much.
it was nice to see you the other day at inca mama's. do you remember that this was the place where jet and i saw you and arnel for the 1st time. ever since that evening, we've been going back to that restaurant every time we can. we go there less now because of my diabetes but it's probably one of my favorites in OC. it's almost walking distance from where our homes are located and that's a plus.
ingat!
jay
Posted by: BatJay, Ang Dating Folk Singer ng Ma Mon Luk | September 03, 2006 at 11:34 PM
Hi KB - There are two places we have to bring you and Jet to now. (1) Thainakorn in Garden Grove - fantastic Thai food and (2) Tropika in Tustin - fabulous Malaysian fare. My friend introduced me to both places and all I could think of was telling you about it! Anyway, it's always nice to see you and Jet kapitbahay -- we don't see each other often enough. :)
Posted by: Gigi | September 03, 2006 at 11:50 PM