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Manila, Philippines
By C.C. Hidalgo
Pinoypress.net
By his own admission, Brian Gorrell is fighting the fight of his life. Quite literally.
Afflicted with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, Gorrell says he had saved up enough money over the years so that he could take care of himself. Then, in less than a year, all that money – totaling 70,000 US dollars, or nearly three million pesos, he says – is gone. Stolen, according to him, by a dashing and sweet-talking Filipino he had fallen in love with and had a relationship that lasted a year.
The 38-year-old Gorrell, who was born in Canada but is an Australian citizen (he has lived in Australia for 25 years), swears he did everything rational and legal to try to get his money back. But, according to him, he was instead mocked and threatened. Furious and desperate, he created a blog on blogspot.com and spilled his guts out.
The blog was a sensation. Ever since he put it up earlier this month, the blog, according to sitemeter.com, averages a daily visit of 52,391, which is a phenomenal statistic for a blog that is less than a month old.
It’s easy to see why. The blog is addictive. Perhaps because it played into the gossipy nature of Filipinos, thousands are drawn to it every day. Or that, as can be gleaned from the equally scorching and at times hilarious comments, many Filipinos really do hate the so-called high-society – which Gorrell described as “toxic,” its denizens suffering from a “drug-induced boredom” — and that, for once, they had the opportunity to engage in a bit of schadenfreude. “The vicious schadenfreude on display in that blog is the spasm of the helpless,” writes the Inquirer’s Gibbs Cadiz.
But Gorrell’s story – the nasty revelations, the profanity, the nihilism, the abuse, the betrayal, all of this aside – probably comes down to this: it is a story of a vulnerable man swept away by the exotic decadence of a part of Philippine society that only a few Filipinos probably knew existed. People may argue about the veracity of its content but there is no denying that Gorrell’s blog pried open the door to this glitzy underworld that the likes of Maurice Arcache or Tim Yap wouldn’t dare — to use a word society columnists will have no problem using — prattle about.
Gorrell agreed to an online chat with PinoyPress on Tuesday. We are printing excerpts of the conversation, which have been edited for clarity, grammar and style.
And because of some legal considerations, all the names, except Gorrell’s, have been changed. We cannot even print the URL of his blog. Then again, in the age of Google, that should not be a problem.
PinoyPress: Anytime you’re ready, Brian.
Brian Gorrell: This is all very strange for me. I’m nervous.
Don’t be. I figured that you might be more comfortable with YM (Yahoo Messenger) than, say, a phone conversation.
Yes, you are correct. Unless you are really CK. Hahahaha! I have been tricked a few times.
I trust that you checked me out? Googled me at least?
Nope. Too trusting. That’s my problem, mate.
Well, that’s a bit surprising. Nowadays, you can’t be too trusting.
Blame my mum. She raised me that way. Haha!
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March 19th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I am a big follower of Brian!!!!
I hope ull get justice….Crucifiy DJ Montano.
I love your guts Brian.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
this is informative. at least people who are confused on all the fuss will get the basic facts straight. thanks for this one!
March 19th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
What a great interview. Concise yet informative. Philippine high society sounds like it has its head up its a**. I love the way he answers. I’m glad he was able to come out with this.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
This is amazing. I have enjoyed this interview greatly. I support Brian 100% and as a Filipino, I am completely ashamed and disgusted by the behaviors of Montano, Lopez, the Yap, tinio and the rest of the GG. Our country is going to the dogs.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:00 am
fight it out brian..
we’re routing for you.
give it all you got.
go legal..go diplomatic.
let them pay..these sick vermins!
March 20th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Amazing. Pinoys in Illinois are cheering for Brian.
Loved the CK, Mario and Christine monickers. Christine should be Cenile, like “senile”.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:26 am
keep on fighting brian !ill support you all the way! GOD BLESS !
March 20th, 2008 at 9:29 am
keep on fighting ! in every problem there is a solution ! just be positive in life , ill support you all the way ! god bless !
March 20th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Loved this interview. Candid and sincere. Team Brian, I’m fully behind you.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Hanimal!
March 21st, 2008 at 6:09 am
it’s about time somebody lambasts the seemingly glamorous-like filth of these people! they are not gods as they project themselves as… i’m glad there are people like you, brian! thank you!
March 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
“100%. My HIV is not going away. I have nothing to lose because CK took almost everything. So they can pretty much f**k off.”
What kind of person steals from a sick man? And what is his family doing?
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 am
We’re with you Brian. GOD Bless!
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Great article. Shows the real Brian behind all the angry blog entries. Nice work, PinoyPress.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Cenile,like “senile” bwaaaaa hhahahaha gud bery gud ha hahaaaahaaaaaaaaa bwa hahaha
March 24th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
We have heard Brian Gorrell’s side of the story.
To complete the picture, I hope you guys get the side of CK, Christine and the others.
I am not yet forming an opinion kasi iisang panig lang ang narinig ko. I need to hear the other side.
Only after I have heard the two opposing sides will I be able to form a realistic conclusion as to who is saying the truth and who is lying.
The other side please!
March 27th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Brian,
Spill more beans man. I would really like to see more pictures of Celine, DJ and friends getting high and sh@#.
Thanks and I am routing for you all the way.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Brian is telling the truth about these people. I know them and their lifestyle of freeloading and drugs. I just hope that he gets his money back….but I doubt it. This society has no shame.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I do believed Brian Gorrell statement. Sad to know that my fellow men are cheater just like DJ Montano,Celine Lopez and those who are involved of this issue. Shame on you guys! Brian Filipinos are still love you. Just keep on fighting for justice Bro! Shame of these fake people. We will boycott the said newspaper from now on.
Just pray to God because he is still love you….
March 27th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
You have a very strong personality Brian Gorrell. Keep on fighting and we are always here for you!
March 28th, 2008 at 4:08 am
When I started reading Brian’s blog, I was appalled at the vitriol he was hurling at the people involved in this shameful incident. But then as I got more and more information about his plight, I can understand why the venom he feels towards these so-called Gucci Gang.
Then I thought of something: Brian’s “song” is a cautionary tale to all gay men out there especially foreign nationals who happen to be attracted to the “exotic kind”)that they have to be careful, be very careful in fact to weed out those who really profess sincere and true emotional feeling, i.e., love. Sadly, we gay people, myself included easily succumb to beauty (and youth) without knowing first whether there is more than what meets the eye.
On the same token, while I empathize with Brian I always believe that anyone and anybody who enters into a so-called “business venture” with a purported “co-owner” or “partner” should and must do EVERYTHING in writing. To just send money to someone (a loved one included) with the hope that the recipient is honest and credible and the promise that it is quote unquote investment is absolute folly.
As what they say, that’s what delineates men from women. Women think with their heads whereas men, although men do have two heads, men think with their DICKHEADS.
Mea culpa!
March 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
go, go, go brian!!!! i’m praying that you’ll get back your money soon!!!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
fight! fight to the end!
April 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
i wanna see the blog.. can anyone direct me through a link? thank you..
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 am
im intrigued.. but im already sleepy! i have a lot of time later to read. anyways, looks can be decieving. we really dont know the private life of the public figures, the rich and famous. but i believe in KARMA, and God sees everything. in His time, He knows what to do with the corrupt and ruthless people who makes poor peolpe bleed. im really having 2nd thoughts if filipinos are the most good peolpe on earth. are you?
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:45 am
I believe in you brian.. i am a filipino and living here in davao city down south island of the philippines. i already spread you message/blogs to all my friends and my connections here and im sure they too will be at your side to support you in your cause. Never surrender and never be afraid, continue writing and soon all those druggy idiots will be persecuted. i will help you spread the message to people here and will watch those bastard not to try to come in our city.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Damn all those bastards! they deserve to be in jail.. and to celine shame on you!.. you just give a bad credit to abs-cbn and to the real lopez family. stop claiming that your family owned the company you aint belong to the real socialite clan but a mere social climber.. a person who claim to be rich but not… you just get money f**ck**g dirty old men and you know that. brian im with your side! go and fight till the end.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
Brian. i really feel pity on you & i believe you dear. dont stop and always fight for the truth. i will boycott philippine star newspaper and will never try to buy the said newspaper from now on and will tell my classmates my friends about this. we love you brian, filipinos loves you and praying for your health and happiness. i will continue reading your blogs. God Bless
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hi brian.
Im sorry to here what happen to you. ill put you in my prayer. and if you want to go here in dubai just let me know its for free. sont worry im a friendly person im filipino but working here in dubai.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 am
If telling the truth is punishable, then maybe, nobody will tell the truth. Brian is an eye opener to everybody. i keep reading your blogs, it’s nice to read the reality than fantasy.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
ayan kaya kayo wag agad agad mag judge nga tao sa kulay nya…dapat kay DJ montano ihulog mula sa plain at ibagsak sa mga gutom na buwaya kay tim at celine baho keps! dapat dyan itali at kilitiin habang pinapakagat sa langgam..hayaan mo brain makakarma din ang mga yan!
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 am
Brian Gorrellis now a phenomenon. He has already conquered every national newspaper, personal blogs, and now the national television.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
hi can I ask what is the full url of Brians’s blog. Please thanks!
April 5th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
ei brian i salute you…very well indeed…this gucci gang is nothing but a mess, a crap…..silly people who knows nothing but partying….dj montano ill pray for your death….soon
April 6th, 2008 at 7:15 am
wow… i feel so small… i supporting brian for what he really fighting for… im a 26 year old fil gay guy with a 48 yr old american bf, i heard this news from my aunt and this is so terrible… we dont know who the real persons are… better know them yet one day you will find out they corrupting your kindness… i salute you brian and were here to support…
April 7th, 2008 at 9:21 am
[...] HERE to read Brian’s story and here’s the report written by [...]
April 7th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Brian Gorrell is now a phenomenon..He’s man enough to fight for what is right..he’ll soon become famous I guess.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Hello Brian,
I just ignored the news about you but when I tried to look for your blog in the internet and found it…my GOSH!! I can’t stop reading it!! Go, go, go!!! The persons involved in the Gucci Gang are now a shame already in our country…so, continue what you’re aiming for..GOOD LUCK!!
April 12th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
i would rather suggest both sides to bring this matter to the proper forum.file a case to prove all the accusations. i mean am not sure who’s telling the truth and i think the only way to prove that is thru a court trial.i challenge both parties to defend their innocence….will u?
April 13th, 2008 at 1:10 am
brian you wer just a victim also cause you guys wer just same in thouhgts it is just you wer being betrayed.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Brian’s blog had opened a can of worms. It is popular because it had scratched a wound within the Filipino Culture and Society.
It is probably safe to say - thay Brian’s readers can relate to the story as we have been in those situations at one time or the other.
But mainly - I believe we are just sick and tired of hearing all this shenanigans by some Pinoys. I hate admit - that in this time of worlwide news of corruption and poverty in the Philippines - we can add the Brian/DJ case as one of the country’s negative reputation.
In saying so - I applaud Brian for his bravery and guts to come out with this. I will support you in any way I could.
Don’t lose heart - the Pinoys/Pinays and the whole world is with you!
April 18th, 2008 at 11:01 am
watch out for more people like them…Money, money, money even if they have to sell their souls.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:14 am
[...] over at Brian Gorrell’s. Gorrell, as you should know by now, put up his wildly popular blog to collect money that he claims the “social climber” DJ Montano stole from him. For weeks since he put it up last month, Gorrell posted exposés after exposés on Montano, the [...]
May 17th, 2008 at 10:47 am
you want to hear the detractors of Gorrel? go to:www.themeanstreak.blogspot.com at least you will see that not everybody agrees with Gorrel’s methods of getting his money back.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:24 am
DrJam i went to the site and it upset me. i still believe brian is reasonable considering the horror that dj and his friends put him through. to each his own na siguro yan.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:48 am
i am no team dj nor am i a team brian. but one things for sure, manila isn’t the same. Embassy is missing most of the gucci gang members cuz most are in hiding, lying low or in rehab. it used to be lucia palami now its martin lovina. who’s next? the lucia/trixie story isnt confirmed but lovina is definitely in. good things came out of this at least heh?