[FIRST ENCOUNTER]

My very first photo with BGYO was taken on May 4, 2021 (Tuesday) at 10:04AM.

NOTE: Long thread ahead.

Making this thread, so I'll never forget.

The night before I met them, I had a very bad headache, so I decided to go home early. When I got to the parking lot, there was an ongoing shoot and that's when I thought, "what if BGYO also ended up taping something here?" But, of course, I knew it was impossible.

Why? Because the safety protocols where we park are much stricter now. We are not even allowed to go outside to buy anything or to pick up orders the moment we come in. So, it's very much unlikely that the boys and I will cross paths anytime soon. Or so I thought.

Come May 4th (the next day).

Woke up late because my head was killing me, and I almost opted to work from home that day. But, for some reason, something inside pushed me to get out of bed and to prepare.

Fast forward to when I finally arrived at the office.

[Note: Next tweets will be in Taglish, para mas ramdam.]

It was all normal—I just parked my car in my usual spot—until I saw tall boys waiting, walking around, in front of our basement parking entrance.

Bumilis 'yung tibok ng puso ko that time kasi, kahit alam ko sa sarili ko na imposible talaga na sila 'yun dahil nga sa restrictions, I also knew in my heart that it was really BGYO. Take note, wala akong salamin nito tapos ang labo pa ng mata ko.

Tried my best not to panic since I wasn't wearing my PPE yet. Didn't want to run to them in just my casual clothes, so I still did what I would normally do on an ordinary day. As in nagsuot pa talaga ako ng PPE, nagpalit ng sapatos, at inayos 'yung mga gamit ko.

Ang tumatakbo lang sa utak ko that time was, if pumasok na sila & hindi ako makaabot, okay lang. Sa susunod na lang kapag okay na ang lahat. Didn't want to risk our safety, so I wanted to make sure everything's settled before I approach them.

Ready na ako mamiss 'yung chance.

Eh kaya lang naabutan ko pa rin sila.

Ayun, habang papalapit ako, naconfirm ko na that it was really them. Not gonna lie, pumasok sa isip ko na hindi na lang sila kausapin dahil baka wala sila sa mood since it seemed like they've been waiting there for some time already.

Then naisip ko na baka ibinigay na talaga ni Lord sa akin 'yung araw na 'yun. Na kaya Niya ako pilit pinabangon was because something special was about to happen. Nagkaroon na rin kasi ako ng gut feel na malapit ko na silang makita the night before. Tapos, boom, ayan na nga sila.

"BGYO?"

'Yan lang ang nasabi ko, kahit alam ko namang sila talaga 'yun, dahil hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong unang sasabihin sa kanila. Awkward naman kung biglang mag "hello" lang ako tapos magfangirl sa kanila. Parang, who you po?

They answered, "opo," then one of their companions (feeling ko si Koya BGYO ito hahaha) said, "si ekaeka 'yan," tapos nag gather na 'yung boys (naglalakad-lakad kasi sila habang naghihintay) sa harap ko.

Ang naaalala ko lang na sinabi ko sa kanila was, I knew it was them even from afar because of their height. Told them, medyo nagmadali pa ako dahil baka hindi ko sila maabutan tapos nagtawanan lang kami.

Asked if I could take a photo with them kasi hindi ko na alam kung kailan ko sila makikita ulit. Super grateful to the boys and to Coach Jerwin for being so accommodating kahit ang init sa parking at mukhang matagal na silang naghihintay dun bago pa ako dumating.

I was already supposed to go kaya lang may napansin akong super liwanag in my peripheral. Tapos 'pag lingon ko, I realized that I forgot to turn off my headlights! Gusto ko sanang magpanggap na hindi akin 'yun kaya lang kawawa 'yung battery ko.

Tawang-tawa ako. May pa-bloopers pa tuloy. Sabi ko sa boys, "teka lang, nakalimutan kong patayin 'yung headlights ko sa pagpapanic." Hahaha Ayun, tawa ulit kami tapos sabay takbo ako sa kotse to turn it off.

When I walked back, I just copied the boys' kamay-sa-puso gesture while thanking them. Wished them good luck with their commitment that day and told them to take good care of themselves before I tapped my ID and went inside.

How did I feel after meeting them in person?

I felt reassured. Relieved. Because the BGYO I adored on Youtube videos and Kumu livestreams were the same boys I met at our basement parking lot.

Walang ka ere ere. Ang babait. Ang gagalang. At sobrang appreciative.

It's already a given that the boys are tall and are very good looking. But, more than their physical attributes, what struck me the most was their aura, especially in real life.

Alam mo 'yung ramdam mong walang pagpapanggap sa pinapakita nila? Na 'yung warmth nila is something real and not just for show? Ganun. And, I'm sure, everyone who got and will get to meet them would say the same thing.

Before I crossed paths with the boys, I honestly thought I already support and love them enough, but meeting them in person made me realize that I have more support and love to give because they deserve nothing less.

I don't make a lot of good choices in life, but one thing's for sure. Choosing to support these boys is one that I will never, ever regret.

Hanggang sa dulo na ito, mga Kapamilya.

No matter what.

#SupportAndProtect