MANILA, Philippines ? This being a special issue on high-tech lives, our editor feels a ?contrarian? article is needed to ?balance? the IT equation. Since I am ?famous? around the office for not owning any gadgets and being almost completely unplugged, could I do the honors?

At the risk of pounding the last nail into my contrarian, no-tech coffin, here goes:

In terms of gadgets, I do have a typewriter, landline, tape recorder, radio, TV, two DVD players, fridge, microwave?but, that?s about it. No car, computer, aircon, cell phone, iPod, iPhone, video camera, palm top, notebook, etc.

How did this ?miserable? and ?deprived? state of affairs come about? Certainly not as a result of any outright decision on my part. No way did I set out to prove a minimalist, retrograde caveman point to intentionally ?go green,? obliterate my carbon footprint or establish myself as the sole, remaining IT-less caveman in the universe.

As a multimedia director and evaluator of the electronic media and performing arts, I have to keep on top of the latest developments and inventions in the field, so that I can get the best out of the people I supervise. Judging from my busy schedule, my bosses in various fields appear to be at least satisfied with my work. I just don?t own or manipulate those high-tech gadgets myself, that?s all.

And, why not? Since some people seem to be making such a big deal out of it, I?ve looked back and given the question a lot of thought. My answer?

The first person to clue me in on the wonders of computer literacy was my dear friend, Doreen Fernandez. A long time ago, she discovered the distinct advantages of the computer, and urged me to savor them as well. She even offered to teach me the language of IT.

Through the years, so did Edmund Sicam and a number of other well-meaning friends. But, I was too busy working at my many jobs to give my IT education the time and focus it deserved.

That?s it: I?ve been too busy. As a writer, for instance, I have had to produce hundreds of columns, articles, scripts for theater, TV and film--plus a book or two now and then. That?s a lot of writing.

As a result, I have to write, not only at the office or at home, but anywhere. After a while, writing gets to be a rather lonely activity, so I go to restaurants, where I?m surrounded by the convivial sound of diners? conversation as I churn out my regulation 10 or 15 pages a day.

Once, I even wrote an entire film script in a motel room?but, that?s another story. And, another time, I typed up the last pages of a one-act play in a taxicab, so I could beat the Palanca Awards deadline. P.S.: The play won the first prize?but that, again, is grist for another media mill.

Due to all of this hectic activity, I own a typewriter but generally don?t use it. Instead, I print my articles and scripts by hand on my by now ?signature? yellow pad paper, and my bosses very kindly ask other similarly kind souls to input them for duplication or publication.

When it comes to the other advantages of the IT revolution, I have also availed of them on occasion, thanks to my many helpful colleagues, friends and relatives, to whom I am appropriately (and even inappropriately) grateful.

So, my point is clear: I?m not against IT gadgets per se; I simply don?t have the time to learn how to use them.

I must admit, though, when I see my friends who have cell phones having to deal with so many unwanted messages, I?m glad that I?ve insulated myself from all those unsolicited distractions.

Also, I can deal with the occasional text message passed on to me?but, for more important or personal matters, I prefer that people call me on my landline, so we don?t miss out on the nuances that transform mere talk into empathetic conversation.

Let me end this ?unplugged? piece with a funny yet hopefully instructive anecdote: From time to time, I am tapped to represent the Philippines at international conferences and festivals abroad. Some years ago, I got another such invitation to a one-week cultural forum.

Now the culture aspect was right up my alley?but, just before I left, I learned that the forum had another component: Yes, it was on culture, but in the context of the New Media (meaning, IT). Oops!

Since I was an ?IT-less wonder,? how would I fare at such a plugged in forum? In my most horrible nightmare, as I entered the forum?s venue, I saw a computer in front of every delegate?s seat!

What to do? I created a tall tale about my having badly dislocated my hands and even brought along several long strips of elastic bandage to pull my ruse off, if needed.

When I did enter the conference venue, I blanched, because there was a gadget on the table in front of my assigned seat! But it turned out to be, not the dreaded computer, but only a multi-channel translation device, which even my technologically un-savvy brain could figure out. Thank goodness!

And now, for the punchline: During the conference, despite my being IT-illiterate, I participated enthusiastically in the discussions, detailing global cultural prospects for the next decade.

The result? On the last day of the culture-New Media forum, as the delegates stood up to express their thanks, a delegate from Europe shared: ?We would like to express our special appreciation for the very valuable insights of the delegate from the Philippines.?

If Pablo Picasso had been there to paint a portrait of my nonplussed face (with its cat-that-ate-the-canary expression), it would have been his masterpiece!