Neil Gaiman in A Real Life Romance

Yes, Neil Gaiman was in Manila in November and no, I don't have a pic with my favorite speculative fiction author but I have the next best thing - that's my eldest daughter in the pic with him, and she got a real hug, too. She was a student observer at the Ad Congress in Subic where he was a speaker and she lined up again for his reading and book signing the following day.

And what romance am I talking about? Well, I heard it from Mr. Gaiman himself when the entire family trooped to see him at Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street where he awarded the winners to the 2nd Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards (cash prizes from Neil Gaiman's own pockets!). He said the strangest thing that happened to him in Subic was when he helped someone propose marriage to his girlfriend right there at the book signing. Can you imagine being such a Neil Gaiman fan and then having Neil Gaiman himself write in your book: "(your name), will you marry (your boyfriend's name)"? I would have fainted on the spot!!! But that's exactly what Mr. Gaiman did for Jason and Maui. And Neil himself wrote in his blog that it was the best part of his Philippine trip! Aw, I told you he was a romantic. I knew it ever since I read Stardust many, many years ago. And I continue to find romance in many of his work.

I'm still giddy from having been in the presence of THE Neil Gaiman. But like he said in his blog, back to work. I now have to translate the inspiration into my own stories. After all, he wrote in our copy of Fragile Things:

For the San Diegos - Keep writing! Keep making stuff up!

And he drew a heart! Awwww...