I STEPPED inside the night club — letting the lights blind my vision.

All kinds of loud and sultry music played in the background as I sat down on one empty bar stool.

My eyes roamed around. In the middle of the place stood a pole — with one woman whose eyes seemed dull and lifeless, swinging around it.

I looked away.

Ibang-iba na siya sa marikit na babaeng puno ng sigla ang mga mata na nakilala ko noong mga bata pa kami.

Nakakalungkot na makita ang matalik kong kaibigan na nasa ganitong estado na ng buhay.

"Nandito ka rin ba para kay Filipina?" One of the nearby bartenders asked, nodding his head towards my once cheery friend who was now being feasted by several men.

"Ang ganda niya noh? Lagi siyang pinagkakaguluhan dito." He added, placing a drink in front of me.

I drank the liquor in one gulp. Ipinunas ko ang aking bibig at saka sinalpak ang maliit na baso pabalik sa lamesa.

"No." I say, guilty.