2. GOOGLING ALEX CASTRO

ALEX CASTRO is such a common name that in the advertising industry where I work, there are about 3 or 4 other Alex Castros that I know. There was a time when a tukayo of mine—Alex Castro of Philippine Advertising Counsellors—served the same San Miguel account. As a result, documents and call reports meant for him were sometimes delivered to my office, and vice versa, causing panic attacks, considering the strict confidentiality clause observed by agencies and clients.

 In one advertising affair, we were even asked to present a creative award together and we were introduced thus—“To present the next award, ladies and gentlemen, here are--Mr. Alex Castro and Mr. Alex Castro!”. We launched into our scripted spiels in which we accused each other of being an impostor, amusing the audience no end. Of course, I always like to point out that I am the “more creative and younger Alex Castro”, he being with Client Service.

 One day, on a whim, I gave in to the irresistible urge of googling my name: Alex Castro—and I came up with a list of my namesakes—real people with varied personalities, occupations and persuasions—bound by a a common, ordinary, dime-a-dozen name.

 1. ALEX CASTRO, CEO and Co-Founder of Pluggd.

 Big boss of a digital company that provides video search and online video-ad targeting technology to content creators and video-sharing sites. (Wow! I can never be this Alex Castro because I am technologically challenged. I cannot differentiate a megabyte from a frostbite.)

 2. ALEX CASTRO, Foot fetishist, Hedonist, Atheist, Novelist.

 I just found this tukayo on flickr, where I am also a member. This Brazilian, who is now based in New Orleans, has “the best feet collection” on flickr, as one fan gushed. Wait till he sees my petite, size 38 foot.

 3. ALEX CASTRO, Councilor, Part-Time Actor

 A konsehal from Marilao, Bulacan who has just joined showbiz as Richard Gutierrez’s sidekick in the GMA movie, “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend”. (Mmm, I didn’t know my name had star potential..)

4. ALEX CASTRO, Artist. 

Just found his picture on flickr. (OK, I share his name, I share his love for arts. That’s it.)

 5. ALEX CASTRO, the Paint Master.

 Painter of miniature statues and figure models. (There is a remote correlation somewhere, since I am into painted religious statues—although this Alex Castro is heavily into action figures of the Conan the Barbarian type).

 6. ALEX CASTRO, Salsa Singer.

 Popular salsa singer—and a Pastor!—from Puerto Rico. He continues to perform and record today—so please listen to his music! By buying his CDs, you honor me.

 7. ALEX CASTRO, Star of American Gladiator. Exotic Dancer. Porn Star.

 I was fiddling with a laptop in front of my Client on one visit and I decided to google my name. Out came this Alex Castro photo—of a muscled “exotic dancer and bodybuilder from Cuba”. Boyoboy, was my client impressed! Little did I know that this Alex Castro would go on to greater fame by making it as the character “Militia” in the current U.S. TV series, “American Gladiators”. Of course, his shady background in the porn industry came to fore, and pretty soon, his revealing pictures were all over the place!

 So, what’s in a name? A lot. Just ask Google.

 (28 July 2008)

1. OH NO! NOT ANOTHER BLOG TO MAINTAIN!

 Multiply.com made me do it.
I was happy with my 3 blogsites when multiply.com announced midway through 2012, that the site will no longer support photo and blog hosting. It will focus on it being a site for commerce.

Long before blogspot and facebook and flickr, I was in multiply. In fact, Ive stayed the longest with this site—since August 2, 2006. Most of my early photos, reviews and articles were stashed safely here, or so I thought. I love reading people’s reactions and comments to my photos, and for like-minded friends , multiply was a great way to exchange notes on santos, paintings and collectibles.

All that sadly will come to an end this December. Much like moving house, I am now transferring most of my posts from my mutiply site, Mekeni’s Land, to this new space—hence, another blogsite. Multiply will no longer be relevant to me as I have no desire whatsoever to sell bath soaps, appliances, lingerie and used furniture online.

I will not be transferring all, however (I still can’t figure out multiply’s exporting tools ), and some postings--trivial, useless and embarrassing--will have to go. I will, however miss some photos, badly taken with my antiquated but trusty cellphone from some spur-of-the-moment adventure nevertheless.

But c’est la vie.
Life goes on. And so will my wanderings and writings. So here I am again, with my old multiply articles, reposted and rearranged like furniture in my new place of residence. Mekeniman of Mekeniland is now signing on!