Start:	Oct 27, '07 10:00a
Location:	Glorietta Activity Center

Get your costumes ready! Be part of New Worlds 5!

For more information go to http://www.newworlds.ph.

Fandom Café is a project by members of the New Worlds Alliance, aka The NWA, an umbrella organization of groups that, collectively, organizes the annual Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention in the Philippines. The venue has been adopted as the Headquarters of the NWA, and will also cater to other related fandoms.

Our Mission: To create a venue catering to the needs of local television, movie and literary fandom communities; a haven for discovery and celebration of their hobbies and interests, catering to a steadily growing number of patrons who seek alternative venues for entertainment, social interaction and activities; it will be for the fan, a sanctuary where his own uniqueness, his interests and his passions are put first; a home away from home.

Fandom Café is located at Unit G-09 Regalia Park Towers, 150 P. Tuazon St., Cubao Q.C.. Click here for a map to the place. You may also contact us at telephone no. 439-65-86 or email at info@fandomcafe.com. See you soon!

Start:	Aug 11, '07 6:00p
Location:	Serendra

5th Gathering and Book Discussion
A Different Bookstore
Serendra
6 PM
Aug 11, Saturday

New Worlds: Transformed
http://www.newworlds.ph
July 9-15, 2007
Power Plant Mall, Rockwell

Start:	Jul 9, '07 01:00a
End:	Jul 15, '07
Location:	Power Plant Mall

It's here!

New Worlds: Transformed brings you all the costumes, the games, the
books, the toys, and all the science fiction and fantasy that was
missing from your life, for a whole week! Celebrate being a fan of
your favorite show, books or authors at New Worlds: Transformed on
July 9 to 15, 2007, at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell.

But wait, there's more! Stay tuned to http://www.newworld s.ph for news
about New Worlds 5: the 5th Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy
Convention in October.

Afterwards, it was time to return to Fandom Cafe for the Battlestar Galactica Thon, Jon's birthday party and Ricky's tribute. I left in Jon's car with Tybalt, Paolo, Gigi, Mike, Igme, Emil and Lyndon. When we got to the cafe, Mika, Mara, Altariel, Francis, Martin, Beejay, Meann and Ron were there already. Lyndom made a nice artwork depicting Ricky wearing a Starfleet uniform and holding a Storm Trooper helmet with a saying right from the pages of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. It's still at the cafe now and it represented Ricky's part in the NWA really well.


(Pic c/o AJ Apilis)

Sure, we had to say our final goodbyes to one of our own that day. Yet, the night dragged on with booze, food and music. It was a party. To think Jon had considered postponing his 40th bday party a few days earlier. Thankfully, he realized that Ricky wouldn't have wanted that to happen.

Soon, people started arriving. Everyone from Manila Memorial also returned to the cafe. One by one, Fandom Cafe was filling up as the night progressed. Those who were at the mass also came plus some people who weren't able to come to the hospital, the wake or the funeral. There were people who didn't know Ricky well but knew of him and was part of the group.

Fandom Cafe that night was filled not with sorrow or sadness or melancholy. It was filled with love. That night, tears were not shed - not because we were all cried out but because it wasn't a time to mourn Ricky's passing but to celebrate what he's passed on to us - great memories. If there were tears shed, it was for joy and not sorrow.

I think once again Jonathan Larson had it right when he wrote Love Heals. Rej arrived later in the night from a job that afternoon and she asked me how everything was and I simply said there's too much love in this room and she understood. On separate occasions, Jon and Paul gave a speech. It's a pity I didn't get to hear Paul's.

I can't write about New Worlds 4.5 or the Ricky Convention without mentioning every name I know of who was there at one point or another.

Well, there's me. Then there's Paolo. Gigi. Oneal. Rej. Ron. Nina. Reich. Meann. Victor. Dek. Miao. Mark. Mike. Carlo. Igme. Nelson. Beejay. Penny. Kasuy. Hector. Jon (he can be see most of the time behind the bar). Paul. Dante. Ian R. (apparently it was her first time at the cafe). Gabe (who brought a cute dog). Burt. AJ. Lynn. Sam. Ranulf. Karen Kunawicz. Tatcee (who brought a nice LOTR poster for the cafe). Ava. Karen Kristie. Ruth. Jovan. Aids. Macy (who had just arrived from Palawan). Marge. Rain. Mika. Mara. Altariel. Francis. Martin. Gerold. Emil. Joon (although I've seen him before, we were officially introduced only during the wake). Tybalt. Nabs. Lyndon. JP. My Makro booze run brothers, Alec and Carl (incidentally, both were also found behind the bar at one time or another). So many names - again, my hope is that I didn't forget anybody. I've never seen us assemble in this capacity before. Ricky would have been proud. It was indeed a celebration!

A welcome but surprising addition was Ricky's brother Robbie who arrived at the cafe to thunderous applause, cheers and laughter.

At some point in the night, a lightbulb flashed above my head. In the middle of a funny conversation with the Rosero brothers (about which topic, I can't recall), I asked the question: It's somebody's birthday and nobody's getting a lapdance? Shame!

A few minutes later, words were being passed around. A plan was in action. Paul approached Robbie and whispered something in his ear. I can't imagine what! In the middle of getting a drink from the bar, I heard the cheers and the laughters - it has either begun or I had missed it. Turning to the deafening sound, lo and behold! Jon was on the floor with who I can only imagine as Ron, Rain, Mark, Paul and Oneal on top of him (at this point, they're only a pile of bodies in my memory - the pics help sort it out though). But that's not all, entering from my stage left was Robbie and upon reaching the piled up bodies, he joined in effectively becoming the main topping and continuing Ricky's legacy of the Lap Dance of Death! I had my share of such and would not welcome another one although I fear that maybe out of my hands. I wanted to join but there just wasn't enough space! Hehe!

(Pic c/o Lynn Montejo)

Ah. That was a great night to cap a week that started with a bad news and continued with a terrible one. Thank God it ended with love. Again, Jonathan Larson had it right. If you're gonna measure your life, measure your life in love. Judging from the last few days and that wonderful night, Ricky's would have to have been a long one.

Now, at Fandom Cafe, the wall leading to the viewing room has been dedicated to Ricky. Soon, it will be filled with all sorts of photos taken by various people on different occasions. I'm proud to be a contributor to that collection.

Well, that about wraps it up. Here's to you, Ricky. I've only known you for about a year and it's a pity that I never got to know you better and vice-versa. I always thought there'd be time enough to do such mundane little things like idle chit chat about one another's experience and preferences. Ironically, it's your passing that bonded me closer to my new friends.

Thank you for teaching me this hard lesson.

To my new world of friends (the return of the pun), for the last time I offer you Jonathan Larson:

There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret
Or life is yours to miss

No other road
No other way
No day but today

5/3/07 1:55 am

Start:	May 12, '07
Location:	Araneta Expo Center

Toys, Anime, Airsoft, Gaming, Comics, Cosplay, Modeling (Scale), Music and Movies.

Hiding a love for Star Trek? Is there no-one who shares your enthusiasm for Star Wars? Can nobody understand what you mean when you talk about the Scoobies and Mr. Pointy?

We know what you're talking about.

We are here, and we are legion.