THE PLURAL FORM OF SEX
by Louie P. Oviedo

On March 17, 2000 at 9:00pm, a Friday night, I walked down Orosa Street once more towards yet another bar which line up the street, a bar that goes by the name of Sexes. The first time I was here, I thought the place would be interesting, the word sex itself seem to be creating havoc every time it is being shown on the movie or TV screen so why not a place that seems to be filled with sex, since it is in its plural form---sexes. First impressions cannot last forever. No, you would not be able to see an orgy if you would enter this place.

I thought it was the most convenient time for Gabby Torroba for the interview, having spoken to him the previous night. I kept going to and from the place while his bartender and waiters kept assuring me, "Baka na-traffic lang, hintay-hintayin niyo na lang." There was no offer of a drink or a seat for me and my friend so I stayed at another place where I felt more welcome. Good thing I did not stay inside for a long time since I later discovered that they have poor ventilation, the place literally reeks with cigarette smoke.

Around 11 pm, the third time I've made the trip to check if Gabby was already there, their deejay, Jerome Murao, finally told me that he was on a meeting and I would have to talk to him instead.

According to him, Sexes has been named thus because they want it to be appealing to people of all sexes---everybody is welcome whether they be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual---and all ages.

They would play Salsa and Bossanova from 8pm to 10:30pm to cater to the taste of what he termed as the "older" people. Then they shift to club, trance, and house music from 10:30 onwards. They want to create the image of a dancing bar and since it is a salsa bar so they play salsa beforehand. Makes sense, huh? Anyway, I hope one can dance on that cramped dance floor of theirs which greets you as you enter the place.

The second floor can hold about four tables with seats touching the seats from the people from the other table, really cramped. Probably what would make up for this is the rustic interiors which is a blend of earth colors which I hope can soothe the eyes with all the smoke that saturates the place.

For appetizers, though I haven't tasted any of it, Jerome recommended their French Fries, Chili Wings, Crablets, and Nachos.

Or you can probably eat outside and buy squid balls or green mangoes from street vendors passing by, then buy your drinks from Sexes. I have observed that this was what people outside were practicing, looks like "outside" is the place to be.

The reason? Not only because of the smoke, I suppose, which seems to replace oxygen inside. A friend who obviously frequents Malate more than I do informed me, "Sexes is the place for college boys and girls, where the good-looking girls would usually sit outside while eating squid balls and hilaw na mangga while they eye the gay-looking guys, who also happens to be good-looking, staying inside."

Whether that one is true or not, one thing I can guarantee you about this place, they have a very clean comfort room even at eleven in the evening.