Discipline: Cultural Studies
I first met Melissa de Guzman at the Salon de Te in Makati Commercial Center. I was three months pregnant and my craving for Spanish pastries - pastries stuffed with cream and topped with chocolate and thin layers of wafers interspaced with cream - and hot thick chocolate, prompted me to leave my office and walk to the tea shop in the heat of the two o'clock sun. But the humidity of the afternoon made me feel dizzy and before I knew it, soft hands were supporting me, and a sweet, gentle, worried voice was asking me, "Are you all right?" The most beautiful face was near me, "Would you like a glass of water?" I sipped ice cold water and smiled, "It passes. I usually feel this way in the morning."