Neil Gaiman came to my city and my country. This is a miracle. I live in a far away, turbulent country, and Gaiman was a pseudo mythic figure in college, the enormously cool dude who somehow got everything right and made stories that were strange and scary and funny and sad, but above all, familiar, somehow. And now, he actually comes here. Here!!!

Now, I can be a proud and snotty girl, but yesterday, I let it all go and just allowed it all to happen. I stuck fast with three thousand others to see him in a big white tent, and we waited and waited, standing, hoping, weeping through a 5 song set from a goth band, and finally finally he arrived and we all screamed and yelled and cameras were flashing and sparkling all over the place. He was there!! Leather jacket and all!!! He was actually standing in front of us, and he was speaking to us, and we screamed some more.

These things almost never happen to us way out here in the Philippines. Even in this global community we live in today, to actually have someone like Mr. Gaiman grace out shores seemed next to impossible. Yet there he was, speaking to us. And I guess, the knowledge of how rare and terrifyingly precious this visit is made us all scream even more. We wanted him to know how happy we were to see him. I think he was a bit taken aback. Apparently we outrank the Brazilians in terms of noise and public display.

The entire exhausting day, I waited and waited, 524th in the line, wondering if I would ever actually get my book signed. There were so many of us. He hugged and kissed some of the girls. They were crying and giggling at the same time when they got down from the stage. He looked at every single person and talked to them and made little pictures for them and told the weepy ones it was all right, and thanked the ones who brought gifts. Not one time did he seem tired or surly or impatient with anybody. He was just as kind and attentive to the 600th person in the line as he was to the 1st.

Finally it was my turn, and I was partly glad I was so tired, because I didn't have enough energy to pretend to be cool. He mispronounced my name, apologized, and I told him he could pronounce it any way he wanted. He signed my books, he drew me a rattus rattus, and then I gave him my gift. It's a CD of western pop songs translated into Filipino by one of our national artists, recorded by my mother back in the seventies, and I thought it would be a nice souvenir of his trip here, I told him, carefully enunciating each word, then blurting out that I had rehearsed the little speech the whole time waiting in line in my head, and i think i was very close to nervous tears.

but he said the gift was cool!!! And he reached his arm out, hugged me and kissed me!!! He looks at you straight in the eye and you don't feel stupid and silly for having said what you said. or thinking what you're thinking, which was 'thank you thanks so much for being here, actually here, you just destroyed some deep sad beliefs that we never seem to count in the big scheme of things and will all be left behind, you take away the bad taste of star wars, you make me want to pick up a pen again, you make me want to grow up just like you'

glorious magical weekend. My sister said it best, when she stumbled in a daze from the stage, all smiles, all teeth, eyes big and disbelieving:

"Neil Gaiman for Emperor of the World"

Yeah, he's such a great guy. I was the last person to pose a question during the writers' forum and was totally thrilled... so thrilled i forgot to identify myself! sheesh!

By the time I got to gateway mall for the book signing, all 150 tickets were gone PLUS a very long queue of fans were there waiting for a chance to share a few seconds with Neil. I gave up hope of a on-on-one with him seeing that. He still had a dinner to go to at 7pm (with the winners of the raffle and the art contest).

At his age (sorry Neil!), he looks pretty good, don't you agree?

I agree with the other people around here, he should have stayed here longer. A few days simply wouldn't suffice for the number of fans he has in these parts.

Calling on the British Council: Hi Susan A.! Thanks for bringing him over. When is he coming back? Oh please bring him back soon!

And finally, a named fan,
Ginnie Faustino-Galgana

When I arrived at the tent there were so many people. I didn't get the chance to have my book signed that day...they ran out of slots. But I did get to see Neil Gaiman and heard him read an excerpt from "Anansi Boys." But I guess I'm still lucky because I had an oppurtunity to see him in person. I'm such a big fan of Neil Gaiman. It's too bad he's only in Manila for three days I wish that he would come back again. I also wish that by then I could have my books signed...

Neil Gaiman is the BEST!!!

The events that have transpired in the last three days have impressed me. In the midst of our country being shaken, once again, we Filipinos have found solid, common ground on which to stand. For a brief moment, we managed to forget the instability around us and focus on a singular event that was truly amazing. We found something to uplift and inspire us amidst the chaos.

I did not feel compelled to weep or scream when Neil Gaiman arrived at the tent last Saturday. It was more like I wanted to genuflect, a true sign of respect.

As someone who works in the music industry and has had the chance to meet local and international superstars because it's part of the job, I was surprised at how long I was willing to wait in line and suffer the onset of varicose veins simply to shake the hand of the man whose works were the focus of multiple academic papers and my Master's Degree thesis.

I waited fourteen hours on Saturday and another ten on Sunday to get my autograph. When Neil found out, he said I was "mad" and I couldn't think of a witty reply simply because my knees were about to give way after standing in line for so long two days in a row. The sole thought in my head was that my knees would suddenly give way and I would collapse on him. Oh, the shame. So, I lost my chance to impress him with a smart rejoinder as I tried to stay upright. (How sad and embarrassing.) All I could do was smile, listen to him, and tell him that I would gladly stand in line for twenty-four more hours just to get my precious books signed. And I meant it. I'd do it all over again. We all would, I'm sure.

I must admit, I was wondering if he would be anything like his created characters. Would he be brooding, aloof, and serious like Morpheus or funny and witty like Merv? I had high hopes that he would dipslay the razor-sharp wit and dry humour that so characterize the English. Just listening to his responses and the exceprts from Anansi Boys, he certainly did not disappoint! (For us who live here and have to deal with the garbage that we see on regular TV, it was so refreshing to finally be spoken to like intelligent people!) I suppose those of us who braved the heat, long hours, and sometimes unfriendly security guys can say he was/is absolutely the nicest guy.

In all my years spent working in entertainment, I must say that this is the first time that I have seen ANYONE be so thoughtful and generous to his fans. EVER. Others I have encountered could not care less if we were there for ten hours or ten minutes. When they get fed up or tired, that's it. Bye bye everybody. Not Neil Gaiman.

If there is something I will truly remember and admire about him, it is simply that he respects his audience and his fans.

Whilst we surely abused his kindness by forcing him to acommodate all of us, he never made anyone feel that interacting with them was a troublesome chore that had to be performed or that he was obliged to do any of this. He must have been aching tremendously but still, he had a ready smile, kiss, or hug for anyone who asked for or looked like they needed one.

So, I can only say THANK YOU to Mr. Gaiman for being so hospitable, patient, and forgiving. Moreso, for being such a brilliant writer. The way you have treated and respected us all has assured you of even more loyalty and admiration. And of course, more book sales.

This visit was the breath of fresh air that we needed and Neil Gaiman has done more for our well-being than he may know or imagine.

I compiled a CD of music for him that I am currently listening to, my own idea of a soundtrack for his Manila trip inspired by his chosen tracks played on NU107 earlier today. It is something I hope he will receive and like.

Thanks, too, to the Fully Booked staff, the sponsors, and The British Council for bringing Neil Gaiman to Manila. Thanks to my new friends whom I met while standing in line. (Keep our Survivors - we made it! - e-group going! We can queue up together again at the next book signing!)

I only hope that in some way Neil Gaiman has been touched by us as we have been by him. Touched by the hand of God indeed. (New Order anyone?)

Beatlefan Twinky

Yes, that was an experience to remember. The good thing about it is he remembers people. Just to add to all the anecdotes here....when I lined up for Saturday, I brought in my sisters, brother and a friend to help me with my books. I had already qualified for three, but I had a lot more to have signed. One of my sisters was late, so she had to come back the next day to have the book I gave to her signed. I was at 220, my other companions were ahead of me. When he got to me, he smiled and commented, 'another rudolph'. He signed all books, and I had issue 50 (Ramadan) dedicated. Fast forward to the next day. My sis fell in line,but she wasn't feeling well, so I took her place midway through the signing area. I was a bit reluctant since I knew he'd remember me. My sis protested because she was feeling dizzy already. What choice did I have, right? So I lined up. I was carrying with me a copy of 'Snow White, Blood Red' by Edited by Ellin Datlow. Neil has the story 'Troll Bridge' in this collection of modern fantasy stories. When it was my turn to have my book signed, I gave the book to him and he asked me, 'Are you Rudolph?'. I just nodded in confirmation. He gave this knowing smile. He started drawing an apple on the title page of the book and we had this short discussion on his future project involving a compilation of short stories much like 'Smoke and Mirrors'. I left feeling pretty smug with myself. On to the next day, during the presscon at Greenhills, I asked him if he would ever write monthly comicbooks again, preferrably for Vertigo. He gave me a very decisive, 'No'. Later he gave a very extensive reason why this would no longer be possible. In the end I thanked him and he thanked me by name. I have the whole presscon recorded on video.
It's nice to know that he TRULY appreciates his fans. I will miss the fact that he will NEVER write a monthly comicbook again, but, considering what he's doing nowadays, I think it's a fair exchange.
Mr. Gaiman if you ever read this entry...again thank you for your visit.

Metatron

I think he looks hot. He's also very nice

dementia

quote:

Originally posted by kareninblack:
I think he looks hot. He's also very nice

dementia

Truer words have never been uttered. He doesn't look a day over thirty; I can't believe he has children older than I am. I got a pretty lengthy hug from him, which I like to replay in my head every five minutes. I can't wait till he comes back here again, though I'll admit it'll take a couple of years.

Sadly, I never got to meet him. But I can see through how you guys who got to go reacted to his visit, I'm pretty sure now that he's a WONDERFUL guy.

I was in the tent on Saturday, under the sun for around half an hour (only, luckily). The band just made me tear because I was getting really impatient already! And when they finally announced that he arrived I just couldn't-- wow.

On the goodlooking comment: Yes. Totally :P

My friends and I argued for a while how old he was... once I got his date of birth my jaw dropped. Hahahah.

I doubt he's reading this but I just wanna say thanks. Thanks a lot

Definitely one of the FIRST RATERS.

yeah, all my friends and i were going gaga over him :P my brain totally went blank and i could only giggle in a really weird and silly way while he was signing my stuff. he's the nicest guy really

i also went to the writer's forum in music museum where he entertained a lot of questions from guests. he just stole the crowd with his candor and wit. i hope he comes back to visit again

He'd do great in the Philippines if he ran for politics! Heheheh

yeah, i know! it's almost like ANYONE can be president here. haha

Well, it's over- for now. All that could be said about Neil was already said. Let me just add another- Writers( or any well known personality for that matter ) who don't even have one third of Neil's creative brilliance aren't half as nice, gracious and accomodating as him. Nuff said.

Seb ( together w/ Beatlefan and a few others) a survivor

I honestly think he can do a lot of good as our President.

hehehe..