Ivan's posts with tag: philippines
| Start: | Jul 20, '08 08:30a | | Location: | Assembly point is at the Baguio Post Office. |
The Second BAGUIO LGBT PRIDE PARADE: Lesbians for National Democracy (LESBOND) Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (PROGAY- Baguio) BIND Cordillera Womens Education, Action & Research Center (CWEARC) Gabriela Women's Party Thunderbirds Association in the Cordillera & Suburbs, Inc. (TACSI) Gagamba Bar Baden Powell Inn Rumours Stargazer Samurai Male Entertainment Bar Samurai Comedy Bar D' 4th Comedy Bar PhilHair SonyT Productions The Baguio Pride Network is Baguio City's broadest network of Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People and advocates. Hosting this year's LGBT Pride Parade happening on July 20, 2008 at 8:30am. Assembly point is at the Baguio Post Office. For inquiries email at: baguiopride2008@yahoo.com
| Start: | Aug 3, '08 06:00a | | End: | Aug 3, '08 11:00a | | Location: | Quezon City Memorial Circle |
Host: Amnesty International Philippines Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008 Time: 6:00am - 11:00am Location: Quezon City Memorial Circle Street: Quezon City Circle City/Town: Quezon City, Philippines Human rights in China and the Beijing Olympics http://www.amnesty.org/en/china-olympicsWith Beijing hosting this year’s Olympic Games, Amnesty International hopes the event can create a positive human rights legacy for China. The Chinese authorities pledged that human rights would improve through the hosting of the Games. Amnesty International will hold them to their word. We are monitoring China’s human rights performance, particularly in areas linked to preparations for the Olympics. We will judge their progress and inform the world. Our aim is to assess the impact of the Games on human rights in China, to highlight important related issues and to get the world involved.
| Start: | Jun 27, '08 1:00p | | End: | Jun 27, '08 5:00p | | Location: | PH 400 (Claro M. Recto Hall in the Faculty Center), UP Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila |
One of the events in the PRIDE WEEK is the LGBT FORUM. This forum aims to be a venue for information sharing and dissemination. It also aims to educate the attendees most importantly those who do not belong to the LGBT community about the lives of the LGBT individuals. The forum will tackle subjects about the different issues concerning the LGBT Community of today. The forum aims to answer some of these timely questions - Are the issues challenging the LGBT people of yesterday still challenges the LGBT people of today? Or the issues the community faces now are new? What changes do the LGBT community of the country went through thru time? With the help of our respected speakers, we will all try to discover and understand the world of LGBT communities. Speakers and Topics: Percival Cendana on LGBT in Leadership and Mass movement Eva Callueng on Lesbianism Paolo Fontanes on Transgender rights and other related transgender issues Jonas Bagas on Anti Discrimination Bill
| Start: | Jul 19, '08 3:00p | | End: | Jul 19, '08 6:00p | | Location: | 683 A.Bonifacio Ave. Brgy. Pag-ibig Sa Nayon,Balintawak, Q.C. |
Topic: The Ultimate Makeover!!! Pwede pa bang maging straight and bading and vice versa???
| Start: | Jul 5, '08 3:00p | | End: | Jul 5, '08 6:00p | | Location: | 683 A.Bonifacio Ave. Brgy. Pag-ibig Sa Nayon,Balintawak, Q.C. |
Topic: SEBs/ Orgies/ fetishes/ & Unusual Sexcapades (What, When, Where, How, and Why…)
| Start: | Jun 28, '08 3:00p | | End: | Jun 28, '08 6:00p | | Location: | 683 A.Bonifacio Ave. Brgy. Pag-ibig Sa Nayon, Balintawak, Q.C. |
Topic: Close, Open, Close, Open, Ano ba talaga kuya? Monogamy and Gay Men; is it possible?
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20080608-141442/Gay-Pregnant-and-Marked-for-Harassment  | | Sunday Inquirer Magazine / Sunday Inq Mag  | | http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20080608-141442/Gay-Pregnant-and-Marked-for-Harassment | FEATURE
FEATURE : Gay, Pregnant and Marked for Harassment
| By Jonas Bagas
Philippine Daily Inquirer | Posted date: June 08, 2008 |
MANILA, Philippines - Remember the “flower platoon”?Back when the Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) was still mandatory for male college students, it symbolized discrimination against gay students. Real men marched in real platoons; gay students were with their pansy fellows in the flower platoon. Their only duty was to cheer for their manly counterparts or run errands for them. Well, the “flower platoon” disappeared with the abolition of compulsory ROTC in 2001, but the underlying biases that created it still persist. They come in the form of unwritten rules or the ubiquitous “morality clause” in the student manual. They are meant to crack the whip on what some sectors still describe as “moral deviants”—lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT), as well as unmarried pregnant students. Some schools run by religious congregations or organizations, like St. Joseph’s College in Quezon City, ask unwed pregnant students to drop out or take a leave of absence until after they deliver their babies. An admissions officer at the Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City says the issue is simply about being consistent with the Catholic faith. “Pregnancy outside of marriage sends the wrong message about premarital sex,” she explains. But for women’s rights activists, policies against pregnant students are discriminatory. Dr. Guy Estrada-Claudio of the UP Center for Women Studies believes that these policies are very judgmental on women’s sexuality. “It punishes women in the end. To be pregnant, women have to be in a heterosexual marriage. They are not given a choice,” she says. She cautions, too, about the danger of schools being complicit in sexual abuse, especially if the context of the pregnancy is unknown. “Schools could be punishing students who are in fact victims of rape or incest,” she adds. Not all Catholic schools discriminate against unmarried pregnant students though. The College of the Holy Spirit in Manila and Miriam College in Quezon City, for instance, have taken a progressive stance on the issue. In De La Salle University, however, while unmarried pregnant students are not punished, the prohibition could apply to unmarried pregnant female faculty members, if the rather vague clause “public scandal” in the faculty manual were applied.
Notes DLSU professor Natty Manauat: “The rule is contained in a broad and vague morality clause in the faculty manual, but I don’t think it has ever been applied. But that’s exactly the problem—it is there and it can be arbitrarily imposed.” The same vague policies on morality hound lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, who are brought under control through their attire and physical appearance. In the Philippine Normal University in Manila, effeminate gay students are barred from sporting long hair, using make-up, or wearing earrings while inside the university. Curiously though, masculine and ostensibly heterosexual students are allowed to wear long hair and earrings, and even apply foundation on their face. In San Beda College in Manila, masculinity tests used to be imposed on presumably gay students. Students can’t enrol if they fail the arbitrary test administered by a panel composed of school officials and faculty members who rate a student according to their perception of masculinity. Even in the more liberal enclave of the University of the Philippines, discrimination still exists. Perci Cendaña, the first openly gay chair of the UP University Student Council, recounts that during the campaign period, homophobes resorted to nasty tactics against him. “There were even graffiti in some men’s restrooms during the campaign period with phrases like ‘Perci Kadiri’ and ‘Bading ’wag iboto.’ It was a great disappointment because this was UP,” he says. How then does one address discrimination and stigma against LGBT students and unmarried pregnant students? The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, a broad network of student councils and governments, views discrimination as a sign of a poor democracy. “Education knows no sex, religion, physical status or gender,” says SCAP Sec. Gen. Bianca Lapus. SCAP has been pushing for the passage of the Students Rights and Welfare Bill (HB2584) to ensure equality inside schools and campuses. Also pending in Congress is the Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB956), authored by Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel in partnership with the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB), which would penalize discrimination against LGBTs in schools, workplaces, and other areas. Unless these bills are enacted, kicking stigma out of our schools remains a test we all have to face and pass. | | | | ^ Back to top | | ©Copyright 2001-2008 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company |
Below is the letter of invitation we circulated to people in 2005 when the Arroyo Administration had implemented CPR: callibrated pre-emptive response and a policy on "no permit, no rallies". We, in the LGBT community thought we had to share in the burden and responsibility of upholding the rights and freedoms of all Filipino people--heterosexuals, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, transsexuals, and others. To highlight the community's conviction and aspiration we also used CPR to mean Celebrating Pride and Rights. En route to historic Plaza Miranda in Quiapo there were about 3,000 of us, probably more, participants and spectators cheering, jubilant, proud and most of all, DEFIANT and BRAVE.
With the recent attacks on the humanity of LGBTs in the Philippines--1) Jan-jan's dignity stripped with the humiliation he suffered from the hands of Cebu doctors and nurses at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and with the un-Christian statements of the Cebu Monsignor all these because Jan-jan, the victim, is poor and gay; 2) the bar and bath raids involving police extortion and higher TV ratings; 3) the Makati-Ayala "policy" disallowing transgenders and transsexuals from entering certain bars and establishments to curb "prostitution" which dampened the anniversary celebration of Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines; and 4) the Catholic Church's ban on gays to participate in the Santacruzan/Flores de Mayo with Manila Archbishop calling such participation as "horrendous" and "an insult to the Blessed Mother"--and with the long-standing and continuing socio-economic discrimination and structural-systemic violence towards the poor people of this country, I have a feeling it's time once again to assert the recognition, protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms of the Filipino lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and poor, marginalized people.
What do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 8, 2005
Dear Friends,
Warm rainbow greetings from LGBT Freedom March Organizing Committee!
The current political crisis in this country presents threats to our freedoms and liberties, both as Filipinos and as LGBTs. We continue to experience discrimination, harassment, abuse and violence because of our gender identity and expression and sexual orientation. Yet the state – which is bound to respect, protect, and promote our human rights – has not done its duty.
In this light, we wish to voice out and express our concern at the current crisis in our country. On this tenth year of the Pride March – which we have called the Freedom March – we want to express support to the call for systemic and structural change. The theme for this year is, "CPR: Celebrating Pride and Rights".
On December 10, 2005, in celebration of International Human Rights Day, we are inviting you to join us as we march in the streets of Manila. The parade will be held in the vicinity of España going to Plaza Miranda, with assembly time set at 3 pm in front of UST. The parade is expected to start at 4 pm and end at 5 pm at Plaza Miranda. A program with performances and speeches depicting LGBT pride will be held from 5pm to 8 pm at Plaza Miranda. We have secured a permit from the mayor's office to enable us to hold the parade and program. We hope you will join us in this important event and express your support and solidarity to the aspiration for change of all LGBTs, and of all Filipinos.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Malu S. Marin and Bruce P. Amoroto
For the LGBT Freedom March Committee
PEOPLE LIKE US An Open Letter of a Transgender Woman in the Philippines [25 May 2008 / Sunday / 6.04 AM to 6.45 AM]
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt
My friends and I have been made to feel inferior approximately five hours before I wrote this letter. I'd like to sweep this incident under the proverbial rug but there is no more space to accommodate it.
On the 24th of May 2008, my friends and I were celebrating the anniversary of our organization the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the first transsexual women's support group and transgender rights advocacy organization in the Philippines. We settled to celebrate it in Ice Vodka Bar, located in Greenbelt 3, 3rd level Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila. It was my first time in that bar. Two in our group have been there before and they had nothing bad to say about it. There were five of us. I was leading the way. The bouncer stopped us. I asked why. His reason was we were dressed "inappropriately". We were rather dressed decently, tastefully, and most importantly just like any other human being who lives her life as female 24 hours a day. I asked for the manager. The bouncer was nice enough to let me in. The manager, Ms Belle Castro, accommodated me. I don't know if I spelled her name right. I asked for a business card but she had none available. Her telling feature though was her braced teeth.
I complained. Ms Castro listened to me. I found her sympathetic, even respectful as she addressed me all throughout as ma'am. She told me the following: 1. (Referring to my friends, and obviously to me) That "people like them" aren't allowed in our bar every Fridays & Saturdays; 2. That that was an agreement between all the bars in Greenbelt (she particularly mentioned their bar, Absinthe, and Café Havana) and Ayala Corporation, the company which owns the Greenbelt Complex; 3. That the reason for this policy is: "Marami kasing foreigner na nag-kocomplain at napepeke daw sila sa mga katulad nila." Loosely translated in English: "There are lots of foreigners complaining because they mistake people like them as real women"; and 4. That they have a "choice" to implement the policy.
I felt terribly hurt and uncontrollably agitated. This transphobic act is not the first time that it happened to me, to my friends, to people like us. To say that this has become almost a routine is an understatement. I have shouted at Ms Castro several times, asking her why I'm f***ing experiencing racism in my own country and what gave f***ing foreigners the right to demand to block people like us to enter bars in our very own country. Ms Castro tried to hush me by pulling the "It's our choice card" and asked me to talk decently. I am not proud at all of using the F-word as my intensifier and of letting my emotions ran raw and wild. My warm apologies to Ms Castro for losing my cool. Just like any of us, I know, she was just doing her job. This may not be the proper forum to raise this concern. But is there any reliable legal forum to address this issue? Reality check: there is no antidiscrimination law in this country. And if you're discriminated, there seems to be a notion that you're supposed to blame yourself for bringing such an unfortunate event to yourself.
So, I'd just stand up through this open letter. I am standing for myself. I am standing for people like us. I am standing up because I, am, very, tired of this incivility. We have long endured this kind of treatment for far too long. Enough. I'll not go as far as campaigning for a boycott as it is definitely the simple workers that would suffer from any loss in revenue such an act may cause.
People like us would like to be treated just like any other human being. Just like those foreigners who complained about our existence: With dignity. You know the civilized and ethical thing to do: Stop discrimination in your establishments. Bigotry is never ethical nor a sound business strategy.
Warmly,
Ms Sass Rogando Sasot
Sass is one of the founding members of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) [www.tsphilippines.com], an Associate Member of Transgender ASIA Research Centre, and a member of Ang Ladlad Party. To have a dialogue with her regarding this incident, you may reach her at srsasot@... or through her mobile at +639276257010. 
STOP LESBIAN-GAY-BISEXUAL-TRANSPHOBIA! DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY NOW! PASS THE PHILIPPINE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL NOW!
Link: http://diversityandequality.phSupporting gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender human beings, promoting the respect and protection of sexual diversity and equality in the Philippines
| Start: | May 17, '08 1:00p | | End: | May 17, '08 4:00p | | Location: | Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila |
May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia and on that day in Manila, everyone's invited to a legal forum on what to do if in case you are in a bar or a movie house or in a park and there's a police raid. While being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or transsexual is not criminalized in the Philippines, the police usually uses archaic laws such as vagrancy and grave scandal to extort money from innocent individuals. Come celebrate sexual diversity and equality with us! No to Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Trans-Phobia!
MEDIA RELEASE
Reference: Prof. Danilo Arao
Department of Journalism
College of Mass Communications
University of the Philippines Diliman
Contact Number: 09178332726
*UP COMMUNITY JOINS MARCH 14 COMMUNAL ACTION FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND CHANGE*
Faculty, students, staff and alumni of UP Manila will participate in the March 14, 2008 Communal Action for Truth, Justice and Change in Liwasang Bonifacio. This participation is in line with the UP Diliman's University Council resolutions last February 27, 2008 declaring Gloria Arroyo and Romulo Neri must resign and the March 10, 2008 declaration of the University Council of UP Manila "support(ing) the call of the Filipino people for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign now!" (Please see complete text of UP Manila declaration at the end of this statement)
UP Diliman community's March 14 activities will kick off at 7:00 am with the launching of miniature hot air balloons calling for truth, justice and change at 7 am in the UP Sunken Garden in UP by AGHAM, an organization of scientists. At 12 noon, a program on the AS (Palma Hall) steps will be held by the mutisectoral groups in UP Diliman prior to departure for Liwasang Bonifacio.
The UP Diliman and UP Manila contingents will join forces in Liwasang Bonifacio where the program will include the performance of UP Diliman's Kontra Gapi, the resident gamelan or music and dance ensemble. Media coverage is requested for the above activities.
*Declaration of the University Council*
University of the Philippines Manila
March 10, 2008
* *
*TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND GOOD GOVERNANCE*
We are once again confronted with a serious political crisis caused by the series of exposes of big-time corruption and bribery involving top officials of the Arroyo administration. As responsible and concerned members of the University of the Philippines Manila academic community, we believe it is our duty and right to make our voices heard and to take a stand on the social ills affecting everyone of us.
We believe that integrity and accountability in public office have been severely compromised putting in serious doubt the credibility and legitimacy of the present political dispensation and therefore its capacity to govern.
We are gravely concerned with the persistence of a culture of impunity with the government's indifference and inutility in prosecuting and punishing all those involved in cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture. We condemn the continued disappearance of two UP students: *Sherlyn Cadapan* and *Karen Empeno*. There is no place for these human rights violations in a democratic society.
We are outraged by moves of the Arroyo administration to silence witnesses to anomalies and prevent people from participating in peaceful assemblies to express their sentiments.
As professors of UP Manila, we cannot teach our students integrity, service, justice, and good governance if we remain silent in the face of the present national crisis in leadership with such severity as the one we are facing now. We cannot be silent that in the midst of hunger, disease, and other forms of deprivations of our people, billions of public money go into the private bank accounts of unscrupulous government officials and their relatives.
As the Health Science Center of the University of the Philippines System, we are appalled by the deteriorating health conditions and violations of the peoples' right to health. Money that should be used to help save lives, prevent the rise of infectious diseases, and improve the well-being of ordinary Filipinos, and even to fund universal health care, are lost through a system that is permeated by graft and corruption from the barangay level to the highest level of government.
Thus, we are convinced that the search for truth, justice, and good governance in the midst of charges and allegations must be relentlessly pursued especially at this time that the moral ascendancy of the Arroyo administration is being raised.
As an academic institution, we state our stand for truth, accountability, and justice.
- We *CONDEMN* the culture of corruption and impunity characterizing the present political dispensation, and continue to assert for real change in governance by exercising the people's rights of peaceful assembly, to information, and to take active steps to ensure that our fundamental rights and freedoms are protected.
- We* JOIN* the Filipino people in asserting their rights by being actively involved in the search for truth and justice.
- *We SUPPORT the call of the Filipino people for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign now! *
We are one with the Filipino people in their struggle for the truth, justice, and good governance.
*Members of the University Council, UP Manila*
*10 March 2008*
Re: 8 March 2009: Women's Day March/Mobilization
(a quick translation of a response to an email)
Hello to everyone,
As for my political line, my minimum is for a more humane (makatao) which means there's also a recognition of equality, more democratic, more inclusive, and non-elitist government and governance and my maximum is to change the entire system of governance and concept of government altogether because I believe it's not serving many Filipinas, Filipinos, and indigenous sisters and brothers in the Philippines—including all the marginalized, oppressed, discriminated and disadvantaged.
This is similar to the need for auditing (illegitimate) debts. (I'm currently a secretariat member of the Independent Citizens' Debt Audit Commission and for the People Against Illegitimate Debt (P.A.I.D.) initiatives). Most of our external and domestic debts are not only illegitimate but they are also immoral that's why there's a need for auditing.
For governance, it's the same; we also have to audit our morals. It’s actually wrong to say “moderate your greed, exterminate your breed" because 1) greed is greed, and greed is one of the 7 deadly sins in the Judaeo-Christian tradition and 2) the message of extermination is too negative and violent and does not evoke peaceful and humane resolution of the problem of corruption.
For me, it’s also inadequate to simply search for TRuth, Accountability and rePOrm because that only means one thing: TR + A + PO = TRAPO. So, most likely, that’s the same breed they’re looking to replace GMA—trapos (traditional politicians) like Noli, Erap and allies of Cory and FVR etc.
HOWEVER, if show of force or numbers is needed and tactically it’s useful to join forces with "mellow" people, that’s ok with me JUST ENSURE that the progressive forces do not look like accessories or end up getting used as support group of “mellow” forces in a rally. It’s like what happened in a mobilization at Senate grounds when a La Salle group arrived and handed out food to the ones who were already there beforehand and were overwhelmingly thanking them saying, “thank you for coming here.” What was that? Do they mean, they were the stars and the ones who were there earlier carrying slogans "NO to TRAPO" and "SYSTEMS CHANGE" were merely their support group?
I'm not against any faith, in fact I'm a very spiritual person. What I'm against is religion. And sadly, many (mind you, not all) in the religious sector have become part of the system of corruption in the Philippines. Let me be the first to coin these terms if in case no one's done it. For me, CBCP stands for 1) Catholic Bishops Corporation in the Philippines or 2) Catholic Bishops' Corruption in/of the Philippines – And why, are they paying taxes here in the Philippines? And where do they take their hundreds of millions of Sunday collections, isn’t it in Rome? Isn’t it also true that they are the ones who own hectares and hectares of land which are supposed to be part of the "equal distribution of wealth and power" in the Philippines? And if Cardinal Sin unabashedly says it’s ok to accept money from the devil, doesn’t this mean that they are accepting huge sums of money/donations from politicians in return for “moral” support. It’s same money that the politicians stole from the public through padded projects. Of course, there are still members of the Church who are progressiver but we still have to be critical who they are. I think the Church is stalling because they haven't exactly figured the political puzzle--which one to support so they can maintain the flow of cash/"donations". Isn’t this corruption as well?
The March 8, Women’s Day Rally, I will definitely be there (minimum as an individual because I really believe that women need to be free from the patriarchal system in society; maximum, I will be carrying my Freedom from Debt Coalition membership). But, I still think it would be nice if the LGBT community has a presence there at the International Women's Day Mobilizaton. I sat at the meeting, despite not being a woman, because I asked permission and besides, they welcome lesbians, bisexual women and transgender-transsexual women to the mobilization.
I wouldn't be keen to support a proposal that says the lgbt community should have its own rally because I think that mentality is part of the community and the movement's problem. We've been too sheltered, too exclusivist, too elitist in our approach. What we need to do is to recognize that we have a common struggle with the millions of Filipinas, Filipinos and indigenous sisters and brothers. And that is the struggle for (human) dignity, equality, genuine inclusion, and full participation in society. What we need to do is to join the other (marginalized) sectors and their NGOs in calling for a change in the system.
If we can say "LGBT Agenda: Equality", isn’t equality the same call as of the millions of impoverished, hungry, homeless, unemployed, uneducated, dying (because of the lack of health service) and those whose human rights and dignity are trampled upon and not protected by the state? What many, if not all, are saying is to uphold our humanity and defend our dignity. And these are not the calls of the church people especially the elites, the elitists at the trapos.
The way I see it, even though we call for equality, some of us are still elitist in our mindsets. I think we are forgetting that the civil and political rights strategy, though that is important, is not enough for lgbt activism/advocacy in the Philippines. In our economic situation, what is most important is an emphasis on economic, social and cultural rights. We’re a Third World country, aren’t we? We keep forgetting also that not all of us are ready to accept the "LGBT" discourse because they are “tomboy,” “bakla,” “bayot,” “silahis,” or they simply refuse to boxed in a western construct or any construct for that matter. We also forget that with our varied identities in the Philippines, the key to our development (as organizations, as a movement, as individuals) is to accept, uphold and protect our diversity and equality. It's time for us to recognize and protect our cultural-, biological-, economic-, social- and sexual diversity and equality and to reach out to as many discriminated, oppressed, marginalized and disadvantaged people as possible. These people are also the ones who belong to a sexually diverse world.
Still for a free and dignified humanity,
Bruce Portugal Amoroto
TEAM PILIPINAS
team-pilipinas@yahoogroups.com
Don't be mislead that this is purely an interfaith rally because the interfaith session just took an hour from the 5:30-8:00pm program. This rally is sentiment-proof of the Filipino people's clamor for real change in society. Don't be fooled that this rally is merely a response to a specific issue (the NBN-ZTE deal) or to another political crisis (corruption and hiding the truth) BECAUSE the Philippines has been in crisis since Spain colonized us and institutionalized ELITE RULE of those who have resources (capital) and are educated (usually in the West). So, when you read or hear that former Presidents such and such were at this or that rally, be critical and note that they, together with other TRAPOS (traditional politicians), are or were there because of their selfish business and political interests. Let us note that the during the Aquino Administration, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme (CARP)--at the time a ground-breaking instrument to distribute wealth (and power) among the Filipino people especially in the context of Martial Law and the ouster of a dictator (Marcos)--failed to accomplish its mission because for example, the Hacienda Luisita (which is owned by the Cojuangcos--Cory Aquino's clan) and other large tracts of land owned by business and political elite families, were, one way or another, spared from the coverage of the CARP.
I just remembered a title of an article or column, it says something like, "birds of the same feather, corrupt together"--which means that for this current crisis, the ouster, resignation, removal or replacement of Gloria with another TRAPO--most definitely one who belong to one of the fractious and factious elite families in the Philippines--WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
The real crisis in the Philippines is (in) the SYSTEM: the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer because 1) there is NO GENUINE government commitment, policy and program to distribute wealth (and power) to the people (read: masses) and 2) because there is a COLLUSION between North countries (where the Philippines borrow money and "ODA" from), transnational corporations (like McDonalds, Coke, Microsoft, Nike, call center companies, mining companies etc--that exploit cheap Philippine labor, sap our precious natural resources and destroy our environment and cultural-economic-social diversity), with local business elites who want to keep the Philippines (still) indebted, impoverished and underdeveloped at the expenses a great number of Filipinas and Filipinos and indigenous sisters and brothers in the Philippines and those working outside as OFWs.
Help us change the system.
Help us leap to a better possible Philippines by being critical of what you read, hear and see on the news and papers.
Continue to ask why.
Continue to ask why after so many EDSAs and People Power Revolutions, we're still in the streets clamoring for real change. Continue to ask yourself, perhaps you're adding to this socio-politico-economic crisis (I hope not).
It's time for a more dignified humanity, for a society that recognizes and upholds the equality and diversity, and for a Philippines without any marginalization, exclusion and discrimination in all forms.
It's time for real and lasting change... FOR ALL FILIPINOS (not for the elites and business companies). Import.flv (4.8 MB)
Every LGBT, bakla, biyaning, bayot, silahis, TG, pa-gurl, pa-mhin--all those belonging to a sexually diverse Philippines are invited to join LAGLAG--Lesbians And Gays Laban kAy Gloria (Lesbians and Gays Against Gloria) tomorrow as it participates in the Ayala March/Mobilization/Rally (29 February). Assembly point is at Estrella Street (EDSA) at 3pm. Attire: LOUDEST pink.
Yes, that's true. Malu, I and Danton arranged to meet a while ago to discuss the participation of the LGBT community in addressing this political/socio-economic crisis; unfortunately Malu could not make it. I invited everybody else and Danton and I met. Anne of R-Rights arrived later and a plan that you now know was formed. LAGLAG evokes a message of change in the system but that change, I hope, is for everyone, especially for the marginalized sectors of society--bakla, lesbiyana, bisexual, transgender, mahihirap, indigenous peoples (IPs), moros, kababaihan, kabataan, atbp.
It's time for us to call for a more progressive stance. This mobilization is not just about changing a president, it's about changing a corrupt, non-progressive, and marginalizing (read: cancer) socio-politico-economic system.
Isama niyo ang inyong mga kapitbahay, kamag-anak, kalaguyo, kaibigan, kamag-aral at iba pa at ipakita na ang pagbabago ay nagsisimula hindi dahil sa pangunguna ng mga elite, pulitiko at may pondo para sa isang malaking mobilisasyon o rallyng tulad nito, kundi ito ay nagmumula sa ating mga sarili dahil naniniwala tayo sa pagkakapantay-pantay (equality is the LGBT agenda, you know) at sa dangal ng lahing kayumanggi.
See you in your most empowering and very loud PINK, bring your most colorful umbrellas (it might rain), and your most potent noise makers (whistles, rattles) and don't forget your feet of course. This is a march, so be prepared.
Happy Leap Year everyone!
Together, let us progressively leap to a brighter, more humane, more dignified and more inclusive Philippines FOR ALL, not just those who have money and resources. Mabuhay ang kababaihan! Mabuhay ang kabataan! Mabuhay ang mga transgender, bisexual, bakla at lesbiyana! Mabuhay ang mga katutubo nating kapatid! Mabuhay ang mga manggagawa! Mabuhay ang mga may kapansanan! Mabuhay ang mga inaapi at isinasantabi (nawa'y maging patas na ang sistema)! Mabuhay ang lahing kayumanggi!
| Start: | Feb 24, '08 3:00p | | End: | Feb 24, '08 6:00p | | Location: | Cafe Molinari (Treehouse) along Matalino Street, QC |
Planning for a BIG project in mid-May
Mga kapwa ko "Pinoy" Hindi ako isang Australyano (siguro marahil ang isang bahagi ko ay gustong maging o siguro sa isang nakalipas na buhay ako ay isang katutubong Aeta ng "Australya") ngunit kahapon, ako ay lubos na nagalak at natuwa sa Paghingi ng Tawad ng Canberra at ng Prime Minister ng Australia sa mga katutubo nito. Sa ngayon naiisip ko na siguro tayong mga "Pinoy" ay dapat ring maglunsad ng isang kampanya para hingin sa Espanya (sa hari at sa gobyerno nito), sa Amerika (sa gobyerno nito) at sa Hapon (sa Imperial Army at sa gobyerno nito) ang isang paumanhin o kapatawaran sa 1) pagnanakaw sa ating mga likas-yaman, 2) panggagahasa sa kababaihan at pagpatay sa libo-libo nating ninuno noong panahon ng pananakop ng Espanya at Amerika at noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, 3) ang payurak sa ating dangal at 4) pagsira sa ating pagkatao--sa pagtrato sa atin bilang mga "indio," "mga unggoy," at parausan. Ang mga kolonyal na pananaw na ito ay patuloy na nananalasa sa ating mga sarili hanggang sa ngayon lalu na sa pagbibigay sa atin ng isang pakiramdam na hindi tayo tayo karapatdapat na tawaging kapantay o kapwa (lalu na sa mata ng ibang mamamayan ng mundo) na sa huli ay nagdudulot sa atin ng di-pagmamalaki sa ating lahi. Sa tingin ko panahon na para gawin ang unang hakbang http://ivanprizefighter.multiply.com/video/item/40/Sorry_is_the_first_step http://ivanprizefighter.multiply.com/journal/item/10/Apology Batid ko na marami sa ating nakatira sa mga isla ng "Pilipinas" ay hirap na tanggapin ang pagka-"Pilipino" sapagkat tulad ng mga Moro at ng ilang katutubong komunidad na hindi kailanman nasakop ng Espanya, ang "Pilipinas" ay mula sa pangalan ni haring Felipe ng Espanya at ang pagiging "Pilipino" ay isang produkto ng pananakop. Ngunit kung anumang kampanya ito, gusto kong sabihin na dapat tayong maging kritikal sa mensahe at sa istratehiya nito. Iminumungkahi ko itong ideyang ito sapagkat sa tingin ko tayo bilang isang lahi ay kailangan ng sumulong. Ang sugat ng nakaraan ay hindi maghihilom at ang multo ng nakalipas ay patuloy na magbabalik kung hindi tayo handang tumindig at igiit ang paghingi ng isang simpleng "patawad" o "paumanhin." At tingin ko, ang bukas ay higit na magiging maganda kung ang ating ngayon ay bunga ng ating pagbabalik at pagkatuto sa nakaraan at mga aral nito. Ano po sa tingin ninyo? Para sa isang malaya at may-dangal na pagkatao, -- Bruce Portugal Amoroto Team Pilipinas team-pilipinas@googlegroups.com xxx
Dear fellow "Filipinos," I am not an Australian (maybe part of me wants to be or maybe I WAS an "Australian" aborigine in a previous lifetime) but yesterday, I am extremely elated and overwhelmed by the Canberra/Prime Minister's apology to the indigenous peoples of "Australia." Right now, I am thinking that maybe the "Filipino" people should set up a similar campaign to ask Spain (the monarchy and the government), the US (government) and Japan (Imperial Army and the government) for an apology for 1) the plunder of our resources, 2) the rape of our women and death of hundreds of thousands of natives during the colonial period and World War II, 3) the violation of our "dangal" (dignity) and 4) the destruction of our "pagkatao" (humanity)--for treating us and having instilled in us the mentalities of "indios," "little brown monkeys," and "parausan" (sexual slaves). These colonial mentalities still continue (to wreck havoc) today making us feel less human and unworthy to be called equals with others (especially with other citizens of the world) and making us feel un-proud to be a (Filipino) people. I think it's also time for us to start taking the first step. http://ivanprizefighter.multiply.com/video/item/40/Sorry_is_the_first_step http://ivanprizefighter.multiply.com/journal/item/10/ApologyI know that for many of us who live in these islands called the Philippines, it's hard to accept being a Filipino because Moros and many indigenous peoples, for example, those who were not (literally) conquered by Spain find it difficult to accept the name "Philippines" because it was after King Philip of Spain and being "Filipino" meant being part of a people whose identity is a product of colonization. But whatever campaign it will be, I would like to say that overall we have to be critical of the message and the campaign strategy. I am proposing this idea because I think we need to move on as a people. The wounds of the past will not heal and the ghosts of yesterday will continue to haunt us if we are not ready to stand up at ask for their simple apology. I also think that the future will be a lot brighter if our today is a product of our recollection and learning of the past and its lessons. What do you think? For a free and dignified humanity, -- Bruce Portugal Amoroto Team Pilipinas team-pilipinas@googlegroups.com
I am not an Australian (maybe part of me wants to be or WAS an "Australian" aborigine in a previous lifetime) but today, I am extremely elated and overwhelmed by the Canberra/Prime Minister's apology to the indigenous peoples of "Australia." Right now, I am thinking maybe the Filipino people should set up a campaign to ask Spain, the US and Japan for an apology for the plunder of our resources, the rape of our women and death of hundreds of thousands of natives during the colonial period and World War II, the violation of our "dangal" (dignity) and the destruction of our "pagkatao" (humanity)--for treating us and having instilled in us the mentalities of "indios," "little brown monkeys," and "parausan" (sexual slaves). These colonial mentalities still continue (to wreck havoc) today making us feel less human and unworthy to be called equals with others (especially with other citizens of the world) and making us feel un-proud to be a (Filipino) people.
I think it's also time for us to start taking the first step. Import.flv (3.4 MB)
9 February 2008 Today I met a Pinoy (let’s call him Jose) whom I thought was very much conflicted with his sexuality partly because of his religious beliefs. Jose claims to be in a relationship with another Pinoy (let’s call him Pepe) since 2005 but Pepe lives with a (strict) aunt who treats him like a mother and so their “relationship” is quite irregular. He also claims that while they only have sex only every 3 months, they have limited their body contact to kissing (on the lips) and mutual masturbation. Throughout my conversation with Jose, it seems to me that he is very conflicted because 1) he feels very guilty especially after each sexual encounter with strangers; 2) he thinks that having sex (whether inside or outside of their gay relationship) is a sin and that 3) it is also immoral to be in a relationship with another man. Jose also thinks that if there’s a pill to make his dick go soft whenever he feels horny and whenever a “temptation” passes by, he would most likely take one everytime. He wanted to know my thoughts on his situation so I shared the following: I asked him to put himself in the situation of his partner Pepe, and ask how he would feel if he finds out your partner has been fooling around without your knowledge. He said he’d feel bad about it and will most likely lose interest in the relationship which will then make his partner lose interest as well. Then Jose started saying that what he should probably do is to altogether resist having sex, after all, he loves Pepe. He doesn't love him for the sexual aspect but the whole idea and process of liking/loving, being with and spending time with Pepe. I told him that sex or sexuality is very much part of who we are as human beings; it cannot be separated and if he wanted to stop or suppress his sexuality, he would have a hard time doing it, after all, he finds ways to get into anonymous sexual encounters whenever he’s horny and when Pepe is not around. He might (probably) go crazy trying to suppress his feelings which will later on cause more stress to their relationship. He kept saying that he should probably just resist and stay away from “temptations.” I then told him that the “temptation” will forever be there (in fact later on I think that the “temptation” is not actually the other person—the object of desire—but it is (inside) the one who thinks of and later acts on the temptation.) I suggested that what he should probably do is to discuss with his partner the options or solutions to a horny moment whenever the significant other is not around to help. By this time, Jose was already thinking that I am urging him to discuss with Pepe his infidelity so I clarified that he doesn’t have to do that especially if that might cause a crack in or a dissolution of the relationship. I then shared to him my thoughts on what a relationship is. I said I believe that a relationship is a two-street, both giving and “taking;” both sacrificing—that is if there is need for it. I also believe that the important pillars of a relationship include clear lines of communication, honesty, trust and genuine concern for each other including care for oneself. In this sense, I think what Jose should do is to share with Pepe, be honest with him, and discuss his difficulties whenever he’s horny and whenever he’s not around. It is also my belief that an important aspect of any same-sex relationship is being able to share each other in various waysnot just being sexual though I have a feeling that sexual behavior also plays a significant role in the relationship. There is nothing wrong with having sex with someone you love and who loves you just as much because that is one of the highest forms of expressing love to a fellow human being. And if infidelity can’t be solved altogether, I think both have to agree on something that will be beneficial to both, like say, having sex outside BUT with the use of protection (condoms, etc). I don’t necessarily advocate for an open relationship but if this is also an option worth looking into then so be it. I’ve also encountered couples who allow a third party in the sexual aspect of their relationship so as to “spice things up.” Well, if it works out, why not; but I think the most important thing is for the main parties—the couple—to find ways to spice the relationship up on their own. I believe that doing just that will strengthen the relationship even more because the solution WAS both of them and not because of a third wheel.
These are my opinion. What do you think? What would you have told Jose? Comments and suggestions are highly appreciated here or via chroniclesofprizefighter@gmail.com.
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