During George’s stay in Igbaras, Iloilo, his friend Joel Palma, an events manager and barangay councillor, invites him on a trip to San Joaquin where his older sister lives. Geraldine, Joel’s sister, tells George about their brother’s motorcycle accident and the sacrifice she made to help the family.Story by Charles Au LavoieAuthor&#39;s email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com

Chapter 7 - Straight to God

Through Facebook conversations, George gets glimpses of Filipino lives in the Philippines and among expatriates and Overseas Foreign Workers.Although he prefers to keep his emotional distance, we gradually see George’s longing for meaningful connections and his ongoing grief for his deceased partner.The interest is both documentary and personal, as he discovers the breadth and uniqueness of the gay community in the Philippines and in North America. He is often reminded of the disparity between the deprivations and emotional angst of his youth and the sufferings of the younger generation.As his health declines, George continues to encounter younger gays, writers, and others with similar interests. Facebook gives him licence to be bolder and more direct with his questions about others’ lives. Stories by Charles Au LavoieRead by Warren CarrieMusic by Angelica DayaoPainting by Detalyii/Jacob BravoAuthor&#39;s email: charlesaulavoie@gmail.com