DKJ October 11, 2013 Quiz No. 4
SHORT STORY: Geyluv by Honorio Bartolome de Dios
1. Identify the Characters and tell what they are going through.
Mike – a major character. The author of the story (Honorio Bartolome de Dios). He is a journalist who volunteered in covering the news on the Mt. Pinatubo explosion aftermath. He is also one of the focal characters of the story. He liked Benjie ever since and kept it only by himself. He cannot tell whether he is gay or not because of his admiration to Benjie. Benjie – a major character and a focal character as well. A project officer of an NGO. He is a “bitchy, bitchy” admitted gay who fell in love with Mike secretly and he was the first one to confess after their deep friendship.
Joana – a minor character. Benjie’s officemate who was always bugging Mike because of her interest in his life.
Carmi – a minor character. Mike’s last girlfriend for two years (now, ex-girlfriend) who was also working with them in the Mt. Pinatubo scenario. She was introduced to Benjie and she looked more beautiful than Carmi Martin. Benjie was doubtful of Mike not yet having gotten over Carmi.
2. In the story, who is more gay, Mike or Benjie?
Obviously it was Benjie. It was because he is an admitted gay and he was the one who first confessed his feelings. And as I read the story, I can picture him of doing things typical gays would do like speaking gay lingo and saying bitchy things for defense mechanism, as the story said.
3. If you were one friend, brother or relative of the characters (Mike/Benjie), what advice would you give them?
I would give them the advice of trying to be together. This would determine if they would work out until the end or not. If its what makes them happy and contented, why not? If it will not work out until the end, they should still be thankful and become friends if they are better to be that way than to be lovers. At least, they will establish a successful relationship.
4. Drawing Discriminations/ Agonies of Homosexuality.