The BLTXXX

Last weekend, I went to the BLTXXX that was held at Ilyong's in Kalantiaw Cubao. It was a low profile event where people gathered to buy indie works of up-and-coming Filipino writers and artists. This was the third BLTX (Better Living Through Xeroxography) that was held on that same restaurant. But I should say, the crowd got bigger and things got REALLY better. This was my second time attending the BLTX and in just a year, things were already becoming more interesting. There were more people and more exhibitors. It was more crowded than last year (given that this year, they opened the space in the middle of the floor where everyone would usually find tables for the exhibitors). And it was louder too.

After traveling for three hours from Laguna, we came tired and somewhat hungry and there was this mob of people which made it very hard to move around the restaurant. There was also the case of our elusive table. We could not find it at first but Josel (the head coordinator) was very generous to give us the spot just right by the entrance. It was a really great spot. People came to us immediately. Thank you very much Sir Josel!

As the night loomed, we ate and we drank and we became unafraid to be silly. My friends started joking around, making fun of themselves, while I went around and bought myself several zines.

It was such an incredible and fun night filled with literature, fun, food and booze. Ah... boo- I mean food. We did not eat much at the restaurant. We ate outside at JJ's. The food was cheaper there (haha) and I was craving for silog. We also had cupcake for dessert (we shared one cupcake) which was provided and designed by none other than Sir Josel. And it was YUMMY! I've seen and tasted nothing like it. At first, we did not want to eat it because we did not want to destroy the design. But minutes passed, hunger took over. And we all went with our gut and we did not regret anything.

The mass of people finally dispersed around 2 am. We finished the event by singing in the karaoke. It was brief but it was not short of fun. Then goodbyes were in place and we finally went home. I honestly did not want it to end but we had to go home sometime. I only wished that we could have prolonged it, even just for a few minutes. In any way, as early as now, I'm already looking forward to next year.