hapi nu yir!!!!!!!!!!

in kicking out the old year, just bring the valuable lessons you learned, and dispose of the other stuff that won't serve even as fertilizers to nourish your growth. travel light! always good for the soul :)

iwas paputok!

of movie (watching) freaks and best queer reads

gusto ko actually gawin ito minsan sa sine dito, lalo na sa mga mahilig sumipa ng chair sa harap nila -- at ako yung nakaupo sa chair. i hate that!!! last time that happened to me, gusto ko na warlahin yung nakaupo sa likod ko. gusto kong sabihing "punyemas, ke panget na nga nitong twilight na tinitiis ko lang panoorin, sisipain mo pa silya koh!"

but no. di puwede. kasi mabait tayong mga nilalang.

so no, hindi natin siya gagayahin...

Man shoots talker at movies, police say

December 27, 2008 -- Updated 1720 GMT (0120 HKT)

(CNN) -- A man angry that a family was talking during a movie threw popcorn at the son and then shot the father in the arm, according to police in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

James Joseph Cialella, 29, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons violations, a police report said.

Cialella told the family sitting in front of him in the theater on Christmas Day to be quiet, police said.

An argument ensued while others at the Riverview Movie Theatre watched "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Cialella then approached the family from the left side of the aisle and shot the father, who was not identified, as he was standing between Cialella and his family, according to the police report.

The victim was taken to Jefferson Hospital with a gunshot wound to his left arm, police said.

Cialella was carrying a Kel-Tec .380-caliber handgun clipped inside his sweatpants, police said. He was arrested and taken into custody.

***

um, i don't know about you, but that opening line -- the key sentence of the news story -- needs to be rewritten properly. na-haggard ako. cnn na to ha. can i apply as copy editor? chaks.

and in other print-related news, lambda literary awards just outed their longlist. kewl. i wish i could really really really get back to my reading -- my library awaits!

and with these, more things to load it with. yeh. here's a partial list from an afterellen.com story:

"Passing for Black" and Cristy Road's "Bad Habits" are up for Lambda's Lit Awards in 2008

Every year, the Lambda Literary Foundation recognizes books written by and about members of the LGBT community. This year, they've announced the nominees, which will eventually become a short list which will then be voted on by members of the literary community.

Some of the nominees are as follows:

BISEXUAL

Me as Her Again, Nancy Agabian, Aunt Lute Books
Open, Jenny Block, Seal Press
Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love & Desire, Lisa M. Diamond, Harvard University Press
Wolf Tales VI, Kate Douglas, Kensington
Seeking Sara Summers, Susan Gabriel, Wild Lily Arts
Rhythm: A Novel, Robin Meloy Goldsby, Bass Lion Publishing
Secrets So Deep, K.G. MacGregor, Bella
The Bishop's Daughter, Honor Moore, W.W. Norton
Bad Habits, Cristy Road, Soft Skull Press

LESBIAN MEMOIR/BIOGRAPHY

Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy, Susan Griffin, Shambhala Publications
Sex Variant Woman, Joanne Passet, Da Capo
Sex Talks to Girls: A Memoir, Maureen Seaton, University of Arkansas Press
Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying out in America, Jennifer Storm, Hazelden Publishing

LESBIAN DEBUT FICTION

Marti Brown and the House of Face, Teresa R. Allen, Alpha World Press
Relief, L.E. Butler, Regal Crest Publishing
Last Chance at the Lost & Found, Marcia Finical, Bywater Books
The Odd Couple, Q. Kelly, Regal Crest Publishing
The Antonym of Apathy, Hilary Kyle, Antonym Publishing
Red Audrey & the Roping, Jill Malone, Bywater Books
As Far As Far Enough, Claire Rooney, Bella
Made for You, Geneva St. James, Alpha World Press
The Mud of the Place, Susananna Sturgis, Speed-of-C Productions
Passing for Black, Linda Villarosa, Kensington
Closer to Fine, Meri Weiss, Kensington
Looking Through Windows, Caren Werlinger, Windstorm Creative
Love Does Not Make Me Gentle or Kind, Chavisa Woods, Fly by Night Press
Over the Course of a Lifetime, J.G. Woodward, Invincible Publishing
The Bruise, Magdalena Zurawski, Fiction Collective Two/University of Alabama Press

For more of the nominees, including Lesbian Poetry, Lesbian Erotica, Lesbian Drama and all other LGBT and gay categories, visit www.lambdaliterary.org.



wheee and dami! book lovers rejoice! sana available dito...

of recaps, mishaps and saraps

since i'm on a roll and this is a procrastination break hehe, chika muna ditey.

i like what the stars said to me today:

Your horoscopes for Saturday December 27, 2008

General Daily Horoscope for everyone Although New Year's Eve is not until Wednesday, today's conservative Capricorn New Moon at 7:22 am EST is the astrological beginning of the next cycle. We are serious about what's ahead and need to establish firm footing now before we start our new journey. Energetic Mars comes to our aid, offering solid traction as it enters Capricorn. But a sweet Venus-Neptune conjunction assures us that we need not lose touch with beauty as we strive to get ahead.

Taurus Horoscopes

(Apr 20 - May 20)

Saturday, Dec 27th, 2008 -- You are standing at the beginning of a great adventure and what you learn now can be very foundational for what's ahead. There's really no limit on what you can do once you make up your mind and begin moving in the direction of your destination. Don't be afraid to think big; just remember to bring your thoughts down to a very practical level.

bet. agree! at excited na ko dahil, as i discovered, year of the ox pala ang 2009. my year! this is my third cycle in this universe, and i'm curious and excited to know what will happen next. :)

but of course, things won't be much appreciated without the ever-present comparisons. got this from al's site at sinagutan ko na rin. sagot ka rin if you want.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?

-- break up with someone who's unhealthy for me, before things started to rot. it was the best decision of the year.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

-- i don't really make them. i make wishes and then wish that my

wishes come true

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

-- parang wala...although my cousin's wifey gave birth in toronto. closeness na rin.

hangkyut nya noh! that's new pamangkin charlie gavin karga ni ninang cecil ko.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

-- professional close, maybe, not personal. still, i mourned the loss: my former boss, direk cirio santiago of premiere entertainment productions.

5. What countries did you visit?

-- no chance to do that this year. was supposed to attend this conference thingie in beijing but alas, chaka ang systema ng peyups sa travel...

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

-- pera lang naman lagi ang sagot diyan hehe

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and

why?

-- sept 28, the day i let go of multi-layered inhibitions and just plunged to meet someone i am curious about. namunga at namulaklak naman ang effort :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

-- marami rin, in a way. una, finding somebody that loves me for real, without pretensions and hang-ups and other egotistical outbursts, and finally having a place of my own, a home i no longer rent, as in talagang akin siya! hansaraaaaaaaaaaap! and having my own column in a nationally-circulated major newspaper. winner!

9. What was your biggest failure?

--not realizing to let go of the unhealthy relationship earlier on. could have given me three more months of having a peaceful mind

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

-- nothing serious. but this is the year i medically and officially discovered that i am flat-footed. ngyar.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

-- this copper-colored acer aspire one! wahoooooooooo!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

-- er, mine? hehe

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

-- some people who projected to be my friend, only to end up persecuting me when things didn't go as they wished/planned/hoped/desired. it's not my loss, really. i'm over it. and i'm over them.

14. Where did most of your money go?

-- e di saan pa, sa food! groceries!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

-- about meeting someone who finally clicks with me, and about buying a second laptop. sensya na, may pagka-gadget dyke ini.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

-- wit. songs, like bad friends, come and go.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? sadder at first, the happier na later

ii. thinner or fatter? strangely enough, thinner ati!

iii. richer or poorer? that goes without saying. tabla lang lagi hehe.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

-- traveling. if only i had the money, and time! shet. san nakakabili ng time? i want one kilo.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

-- crying and moping about the end of a relationship that wasn't healthy for me in the first place. tanga. heniwey, moving on...

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

-- spent it playing spongebob monopoly sa computer with my jowa hehe, and having lunch with my parents and my jowa

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?

-- yuh

23. How many one-night stands?

-- wit

24. What was your favorite TV program?

-- earlier, it was HEROES pero parang hindi na. balik-SMALLVILLE hehe

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

-- i try to lessen the hate around me. there's too much of that already so i just avoid encountering it, even if it fucking presents itself to me. hudas.

26. What was the best book you read?

-- aaaaaaaaaahhh! not enough time to do this! bad trip! swear babawi ako next year!!!!!!!!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

-- hm, wala e. that i still hate videoke?

28. What did you want and got?

-- this small laptop thingie hehe. gadget dyke talaga e.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

-- wala masyado, until jovan let us watch DARK NIGHT last night in an accidental film orgy here at home hehe. potah, chris nolan is da bomb! sabagay, he had me at MEMENTO. tanga ko, di ko pinanood ito sa big screen nyemas. maganda pala!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

-- i turned 35. i kinda forgot what i did that time, meaning i might have been with people who mean nothing to me now, or who don't matter much. basta ang alam ko lang e kumain ako ng masarap sa isang restawrang bago/di ko pa nasusubukan, na lagi kong ina-achieve sa bday ko.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

-- more money?

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

-- less on the loose shirts and tried the more fitting shirts. it works pala hehe

34. What kept you sane?

-- cocooning/hibernating at my new sanctuary

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

-- wala. detached ako this year sa ganito.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

-- the chorva on the repro health bill in congress, that stupid cebu canister case of a gay guy, and the passing of proposition8 in the US banning same-sex marriage. mamatay na ang mga religious fundamentalists and homophobic bigots.

37. Who did you miss?

-- my lola, especially when i watched ATANG onstage. grabe lang.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

-- this girl i met online...

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:

-- that honesty doesn't sit too well with people regardless, it's their problem, not mine.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

-- hm, parang wala e...

of signs, homophobia, and women with planetary names

share ko lang manila times column ko for today. original post here.

THE SCRIBE VIBE
By Libay Linsangan, Cantor
Signs of these trying times

Why is it that we only tend to forget our differences during the yuletide holidays, with that classic line “peace on earth, goodwill to all” strung all over the metro along with twinkling lights? But I wonder more about who wrote that line in the first place. He or she must be smiling every Christmas, seeing how this line seemingly blurs negativity, at least during one time of the year. It’s the season of rejoicing, after all, for the holidays signify the birth of Jesus.

But the signs were different some three weeks ago, during the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride march in Malate. Some followers of Jesus didn’t believe in goodwill to all as they preached on the sidelines of the festive parade. They carried signs and lines on placards that read hatred rather than peace. Samples were “Turn to Jesus or burn in hell” and “It’s not OK to be gay; it’s sin” (sic), among others.

It’s funny, but the signs imply that the marchers turned away from religion—which we did not, really. There was even a religious congregation marching that day. “Anti-homosexuality” quotes from the Bible were also used as signs. I just pity that book because, as much as it is an interesting and inspirational read, it is the most misinterpreted tome of our times. I’ll discuss that in a separate column next time.

The Malate scene was reminiscent of LGBT pride marches in the USA, a common happening there. But for the Manila Pride March 2008 participants, this is brand new. In the 10-plus years of the history of the LGBT pride march in the country, it was only this year that this kind of counter-protest was seen. It’s also strange that the protest was led by non-Filipino/Asian preachers.

But the LGBT community was unfazed. In the spirit of joy, pride and celebrations, people carried LGBT-positive signs of projecting equality, upholding solidarity, and ending discrimination. Perhaps in reply to the anti-gay religious group, this sign was my favorite: “God made us this way . . . so why question it?”

In a few days, it will be another year. Let’s hope that negative signs of our times will be left behind—along with people’s homophobia, racial biases, and other discriminatory prejudices—as we face the challenges of the new year with more open hearts, minds, and sensitivities. And let’s write about that more.

Comments? Suggestions? E-mail libay.scribevibe@gmail.com.

and on another note, we mourn the passing of the sexiest catwoman ever -- another truly glam gay icon.



imagine being named "eartha." kakaiba no? e kung neptuna? haggard. dapat glam. venusa?


US singer Eartha Kitt dies at 81
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 06:39:00 12/26/2008

NEW YORK -- (UPDATE) Eartha Kitt, the versatile US singer and actress whose sultry voice and sensuality made her an international star with a career spanning six decades, died Thursday at age 81, her friend and publicist said.

Kitt, who won two Emmy television awards and was nominated for two Tony awards and two Grammy awards, died at 2:15 pm (1915 GMT) of colon cancer, Andrew Freedman told AFP. She was being treated at New York Presbyterian Hospital and resided in the state of Connecticut.

"She was certainly a legendary performer and while I think there may have been many imitations, she was an original," Freedman said. She was one of the few artists who have been nominated for Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards.

"I Want to Be Evil" and "Santa Baby," still a Christmas favorite today, were among her best-selling songs.

A self-described "sex kitten," Kitt famously played the role of Catwoman in the US hit TV series "Batman" in the 1960s. Her catlike purr and uncanny persona won her many fans, among them Orson Welles, who called her "the most exciting woman in the world."

She acted in movies as well, starring with Nat King Cole in "St. Louis Blues" (1958).

a moment of serious reflection...

...let's pray TO GOD for those who need guidance and enlightenment the most -- his earth representative.

Pope attacks blurring of gender

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2008/12/23 10:21:36 GMT

Pope Benedict XVI has said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction.

He explained that defending God's creation was not limited to saving the environment, but also about protecting man from self-destruction.

The Pope was delivering his end-of-year address to senior Vatican staff.

His words, later released to the media, emphasised his rejection of gender theory.

Speaking on Monday, Pope Benedict XVI warned that gender theory blurred the distinction between male and female and could thus lead to the "self-destruction" of the human race.

Gender theory

Gender theory explores sexual orientation, the roles assigned by society to individuals according to their gender, and how people perceive their biological identity.

Gay and transsexual groups, particularly in the United States, promote it as a key to understanding and tolerance, but the Pope disagreed.

When the Roman Catholic Church defends God's Creation, "it does not only defend the earth, water and the air... but (it) also protects man from his own destruction," he said.

"Rainforests deserve, yes, our protection, but the human being ... does not deserve it less," the pontiff said.

It is not "out-of-date metaphysics" to "speak of human nature as 'man' or woman'", he told scores of prelates gathered in the Vatican's sumptuous Clementine Hall.

"We need something like human ecology, meant in the right way."

The Catholic Church opposes gay marriage. It teaches that while homosexuality is not sinful, homosexual acts are.

Rev Sharon Ferguson, chief executive of Britain's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, described the Pope's remarks as "totally irresponsible and unacceptable".

"When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an aggressive and violent way," she said.

The pope uses his traditional end-of-year speech to offer his Christmas greetings and say a few words about what he considers the important issues of the day.

© BBC MMVIII

HOPPY HOLEYDAZE peeps!

iwas impatso!

jesus in the time of nazi?

[but wait, there's more! hehe. this is the last procrastination exercise of the day. sana.]


wait, slight na-disturbia lang ako ng mej sa photo na itey:




hm. so malamang si jesus ay ipapadala din ni hitler sa auschwitz sakaling nabuhay siya that time... holocaust indeed.

that's the thing with some social art chenes minsan. minsan di ko magets kung they are commenting on a social situation or they project that they are commenting on a social issue but deep down e they *support* it pala. or something like that. basta.

na-creepy-han lang ako sa photo. from a german kasi. ewan nga ang intentions. art stud friends, maybe you know more of these hehe. gut reaction lang naman ang sa akin, wag seryosohin... [hihi parang last week sa xmas party, nag-crack ng nazi joke si roland t about anne dg being so "auschwitz thin" sabi ko nga. pan right ako to reveal our co-teacher na germanic listening in. eep! heheh. hm. i wonder if they still get affected big time by things like that...]

just got this photo in my mail from writer friend marne kilates who runs poet's picturebook. check it out. it's a good read. kilalanin niyo naman ang ating mga lokal/pinoy-blooded na makata/poets. magagaling sila -- tayo!

here's the latest update:

Dear Readers & Friends,

It was 6∘in Benguet two days ago,

our compatriots in New York

are probably shoveling snow,

but Christmas is always warm for Filipinos

wherever they are.

The little online poetry & art

magazine, poet'sPicturebook,

as Filipino, global, and warm on the Literary Web,

greets you with

No. 23, A Special Christmas Issue,

featuring the poetry of

Luisa Igloria, Francis Macansantos, Kristian Cordero,

Victor Peñaranda & Marne Kilates

& the art of Gottfried Helnwein.

poet'sPicturebook No. 23,

Christmas Themes & Unseasonable Notions ,

(download the attached ad) is now online.

Visit, bookmark, or add us to your favorites,

& update your links at

http://marnescriptsmain.blogspot.com/.

(Forward this email-and-links to friends

who like to keep warm with good poetry & art.)

Marne L. Kilates

Editor

--

For a little poetry & art on the Web,

visit my sites: Contribute to poet'sPicturebook (poety&art ezine),

http://marnescriptsmain.blogspot.com/;

Sample my works at NameableDays Website,

http://nameabledays.jimdo.com/;

and read my blog at NameableDays Blog,

http://nameabledays.bogspot.com.

tin love+my chemical romance

yep i like buying and sometimes collecting tin can products.

i like pewter, too.

once, i fell for a girl who liked pewter things. one time, i gave her a pewter bookmark without knowing that she liked pewter. and then she blushed, gushed and meekly said thanks and that she likes everything pewter. i smiled and that gave me the courage to finally court her. but lo and behold, she told a common friend that we didn't have "chemistry" daw. and after all that lead-ons! grabe.

chemistry pala ha. and then later i discovered the real reason. seems like may ka-on na siyang taong bakal kung pumorma sa kanyang place of work. fafa na tigasin, hence iron lady hehe, at parang pinagseselos lang niya iyon using me. talk about dramatic irony.

i didn't touch anything pewter again, since that day.

what did the banana say to the banana?

voice over from the imaginary PA system:

"welcome to the daily procrastination exercise of bayli leaflens. please fasten whatever needs fastening in your life. char."

BANANA ADVENTURE

what did the nanay banana say to the baby banana?

nanay: baba.
anak: bababa na?
nanay: baba na, banana!

:P

willing to trade/barter

in the spirit of xmas, xmas gift-giving and xmas party exchange gifts, i am making this brand-new coffeemaker available for EXCHANGING.



bilang ako ang taong may angking bato ni narda na suwerte't laging nabubunot sa raffles at exchange gifts, nauwi ko ito mula sa isang xmas party. pero may coffeemaker na ako sa bahay kaya di ko na kelangan ng isa pa.

willing to barter with a brand-new BLENDER, yung puwede kang gumawa ng (fruit/milk) shake ba. any brand will do (kahit mas mura o mas mahal sa coffemaker na ito) as long as it does the trick (crushes ice cubes, and small severed fingers if needed).

yes, barter trade ini.

you know where to find me. :)

yes, seryoso ito. huwag tawanan. :P

*

at least hindi bintilador n naman noh! may isang taon n naka-tatlong bintilador ata akong naiuwi sa mga xmas parties. needless to say, mahangin sa bahay ko. heheh. mahangin din daw kasi ako heheheh. owenu!

Manila Times column for 20 Dec 2008 "Writer's night, unholy night"

original post here.

THE SCRIBE VIBE
By Libay Linsangan Cantor
Writer’s night, unholy night

Writer’s Night is one night of the year when literary writers get together and have an excuse to party. This year, it was on December 5 at the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) in UP Diliman.

People have the impression that Writer’s Night—because it is organized by the UP-based Institute of Creative Writing (ICW)—is only for UP writers (UP graduates, UP-based writers or participants of the UP Writers Workshops). While the event aims to gather fellows of previous UP workshops, it is open to all writers of the country at whatever stage of their writing life/career.

This year, we saw a different Writer’s Night celebration as it started during the day, thus it was billed as “Writer’s Day and Night,” with activities beginning during the daytime that segued into the nighttime revelry. There was a lecture by poet Dr. Gemino “Jimmy” Abad, the awarding of the 8th Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award given to first-time published authors (Zosimo Quibilan Jr.’s collection of short stories Pagluwas bagged the prize), and the launch of the second issue of ICW’s Likhaan Journal. The Writer’s Night proper featured a program of literary and musical performances while the crowd availed of book sales, barbecued food and drinks for sale in the premises.

Writer’s Night is indeed a happy excuse for us writers to hold mini-reunions of our respective workshop batches. But since writers are based all over (the country and the world), not many could attend the gathering. My own Baguio batch of 1997 only had three attendees—UP CAL English Department faculty Butch Guerrero, freelance photographer Marnie Dolera and myself. Still, that didn’t hinder us from having a good time or reminiscing about our workshop antics. The photo exhibit of the workshop batches helped jog our memories. The P60 vodka-juice pitcher also helped.

This year’s revelry was a bit toned (read: tame?) down, for reasons I don’t really know. I’ve been attending Writer’s Night since I became a short story fellow of the 1997 workshops (Baguio and Cebu) and I have seen “wilder” things happen in the previous ones. What I miss, though, is the carnival-type of atmosphere where one can get henna tattoo, avail of mixed drinks, have tarot card readings and such while the program is happening. It was a pity that the rains dampened the Writer’s Night revelry a bit. Still, we had fun.

I hope to see other writers out there next year.

Comments? Suggestions? E-mail libay.scribevibe@gmail.com.

things that make you go hmmmmm...should i?

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

when the universe sighs, listen closely

because sometimes, its message might be relevant to you.

bulong ng stars sa akin today:

Taurus Horoscopes

(Apr 20 - May 20)

Tuesday, Dec 16th, 2008 -- Your key planet Venus is rather stressed today by the Sun so you may find it difficult to relax. Luckily, you should be able to escape your discomfort through your dreams. But don't allow your fantasies to remain unrealized. Do what you can to manifest your best ideas and transform them into reality.

wala lang, napa-food for thought lang ako this morning, pagkabasa ng isang chuva na nagpapatunay na ang mga dapat karmahin ay patuloy pa ring kinakarma hanggang ngayon. this long? tsk. di kasi sila naniniwalang karma works e. ayan, suffer the consequences 'ika nga.

oh well. at this point, i am beyond pity. IDC moda anew - i don't care. that's how you survive.

today is officially "play hooky day" + dealing with phobic fundies

pakinggan ang sinasabi ng stars para sa ikaluluwag ng utak at ikagiginhawa ng damdamin...


Your horoscopes for Sunday December 14, 2008

General Daily Horoscope for everyone Today's security-conscious Cancer Moon can remind us of our emotional, physical or economic vulnerability. We may attempt to retreat into a safe space that is within our control; however, we may also realize that we don't have the luxury of such a place. With assertive Mars still tracking the Sun, it's hard to let go of anger. We must guard against our tendency to be passively aggressive as Mars pushes us out and the Cancer Moon pulls us in.

Taurus Horoscopes

(Apr 20 - May 20)

Sunday, Dec 14th, 2008 -- You might try to take on too much today because everything seems as if it will be simpler than it actually is. Part of the problem is that you are not willing to let go of a project until it feels right, so you may go back over what you already did. Although others may not notice the difference, it's important that you honor your own need for quality. Instead of rushing through your tasks, postpone some chores for another day.

dibala? go. relak lang today.

kaya ayan, games games lang. upload upload pics, online-online.

nga lang, naha-haggard ako dito sa multiply since this madaling araw. nakikita ko kasi sa imprint ng bottom of page kung sinu-sino ang dumadalaw sa site ko.

there's two particular visitors i'm wary about: one with the username djpray and one is gomitch. they only visited the pride march photo album page, and nothing else. when i visited their sites, i found out that djpray is a member of some religious congregation in cavite while this mitch is an american caucasian who travels to parts of the world to preach or something.

na-bother talaga ako. i saw in this amerkano's site some invite calling on his readers to join him in some protest rally dito sa pinas, during our pride march here. haggard. tapos he used one of the pride march teaser posters (yung "walk with pride") and some photos from the manila pride 2008 site sa article niya, along with other photos of pride celebrations somewhere else. haggard.

i'm sure he's trawling the web to find more material to use in his propaganda of hate. i just don't get it why these people don't just mind their own businesses and get a life. ito ba ang tinatawag na "other side of advocacy" na advocacy ring matatawag ang ginagawa niya? haggard.

for the first time in the history of the lgbt pride march in the philippines, ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganitong klaseng hate protest directed towards the lgbt community, and during pride march at that. mula pa noong una akong nakanood ng pride march noong 1997 (tanda ko nah), small smiling hecklers lang sa crowd ang nakikita ko, pero nothing that serious and organized. this is something else. na-haggard talaga ako when i saw them lined up sa adriatico street, waiting for the march to begin sa remedios circle last last saturday. ngayon-ngayon lang ako nakampante actually when i saw some of my co-marchers' photos na nagpapa-picture sila with their/our own lgbt pride placards side by side with their jesus-laden anti-gay placards.

still, i can't get myself to laugh that long. i don't know why i am truly bothered by this. maybe sa kakapanood ko ng maraming pelikula na may ganito kaya ako affected. i can't forget the episodes of THE L WORD when bette's character was hounded by anti-gay religious fundamentalists sa harap ng bahay niya, nagpukpok pa ng placards of hate sa may garden niya! the nerve! and then that TV debate episode, which earned jennifer beals an acting award nomination (you should see her say the word "monster" grabe, great acting!). and then of course, there's THE LARAMIE PROJECT, where the likes of real-life anti-gay american preacher fred phelps was featured briefly. horrifying indeed.

ewan ko ba. sometimes i feel like these religious fundies will just step out of the shadows and hit me in the head with a 3-inch thick hardcover bible to knock my lesbianism out of me. dito kasi where i live, tanaw ko ang building ng "church of christ pentecostal missionary fourth watch" mula sa bintana ko. it's a big building and i don't know what it is. it looks like two big buildings na magkadikit, one looks like a school/academy while the other looks like a dormitory/office combined. walang church structure, walang cross-cross whatnot. and then a few weeks ago, a bunch of them pentecostal peeps filled to the rafters the whole marikina sports park (think ULTRA stadium) in a big big big congregation. thus, ang daming pakalat-kalat na mga manang and manong-looking peeps in lampas knee black palda at white uniform-like blouses diyan sa may kalye sa baba. harmless naman tignan sila sa mukha, pero pag nakita ko sila collectivel na marami, potah, parang afraid, at gusto kong mag-detour sa ibang kalye.

ewan ko ba. weird lang. i'm still processing why i feel this way, unlike my other friends and my girlfriend na seething anger ang nararamdaman for these anti-gay protesters sa march, nakakapanggigil nga daw kasi, something like that.

i'm a catholic-reared girl who realized in her college years that organized religion, especially of the catholic kind, is not for her. thus, agnostic ang chever ko up to now. di ko naman itinakwil ang existence ng supreme being chenes, pero kanya-kanya na lang tayo ng paraan ng pananampalataya at paniniwala siguro. kaya siguro ako frustrated why thse fundies won't leave me/us alone when i/we leave them alone anyway. lam mo yun?

ewan. siguro mas takot at hindi galit ang namamayani sa akin because i am wary/worried that these hate-filled people will actually have no qual ms about hurting my loved ones directly, for real. never mind me; kaya ko silang tadyakan at sipain (or takbuhan kung meron silang weapons of mass destructions and other automated weapons). pero paano na pag mga mahal ko sa buhay ang sinaktan nila? magkakamatayan talaga kami, and this is no metaphor. this is for real. handa akong pumatay ng tao in that sense. subukan lang nila!

hay naku, ewan ko ba. yes, agit ako. does this mean they have succ eeded in their "mission" to rile us up? sana naman hindi. ibig sabihin lang nito, hanggang sa huling hininga ko, i will work my butt in my own way to keep their homophobia away from me, my family, my work, my home, my community, and my country. never mind if may occasional factioneering and disagreements sa communities; normal yun. pero pag ganito na ang laban, alam naman ng lahat -- as if by instinct -- that it's time to fight.

and that, we will.

UPFI exclusive screening: HIMALA behind the scenes

The UP Film Institute (UPFI), in cooperation with the International Circle of Online Noranians (ICON), will hold free screenings of Sa Likod ng Himala, a movie-in-the-making documentary on Ishmael Bernal’s masterpiece Himala (ECP, 1982), fittingly at the UPFI Bernal Gallery on December 16, 2008 (Tuesday), starting at 7 pm.

In Super 8mm format, this 20-minute documentary was made by the in-house staff of the former UP Film Center (now expanded into the UP Film Institute). It features a rare footage of Bernal in action during the filming of the movie’s momentous stampede scene. The UPFI has preserved the original 26-year-old reel of the film in its archives in almost pristine state—a miracle of sorts

This one-night-only event is meant to honor the film Himala, starring Superstar Nora Aunor and penned by Ricky Lee, for winning the CNN APSA Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time, presented recently at the 2nd Asia-Pacific Screen Awards held in Queensland, Australia (see video).

This special tribute, a surprise year-ender for the UPFI, has been planned even before Himala got the CNN APSA award. “The fact that this Bernal film has been shortlisted with the works of world cinema masters like Akira Kurosawa, Satyajit Ray, Wong Kar-wai, and Ang Lee,” said UPFI Programming Director Nonoy Lauzon, “is a great feat by itself.”

Described by critic Alfred Yuson as “definitely world class,” Himala holds the distinction of opening the 2nd Manila International Film Festival in 1983. It was handpicked by Berlin festival director Moritz de Hadeln, no less, to be part of the competition film selection of Berlin International Film Festival in the same year, the first and only Filipino film so far that competed for the Golden Bear. It then went on to be screened in key Russian cities—Moscow, Kiev, and Alma-ata—before it went to the Chicago International Film Festival where it won the Bronze Hugo Award for Best Feature Film.

Himala has remained as one of National Artist Ishmael Bernal’s most exhibited films in both local and international film events. From the ’80s to the current decade, it has been shown in world’s key cities such as Taipei, Bangkok, Tokyo, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Vienna, and New York. This year, Himala was included in the programs of Berlin Hot Shots Film Festival and Paris Film Festival.

The Bernal Gallery on the same day will showcase a mini Himala exhibit, organized by the International Circle of Online Noranians. The group will also conduct a short program honoring the film and some of the people behind it. In between screenings of the documentary, ICON will also hold activities such as film discussion and forum with distinguished guests.

Kundiman as the original "emo" (or how Atang got to me)

my girlfriend and i watched Atang last night at the guerrero theater, staged by Dulaang UP. alex cortez directed it, and i specifically caught this performance because frances makil was the lead Atang (um, di ko feel si shamaine hehehe). buti na lang din si bituin escalante ang katy dela cruz. panalo talaga ang lolang ito ever! a true gay icon, hehehe :P

nga lang, di ako nakasali sa standing ovation ng rows ko when they were applauding during the last song number. bakit? wala, kasi tumagos na sa akin yung Pakiusap.

pakiusap is a kundiman, which is defined sa wikipedia as:

Kundiman (originally spelled Cundiman) is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the Kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of serenade in the Philippines.


so ganun.

the thing is, i grew up listening to this stuff, thanks to my paternal grandmother kung saan sa bahay niya ako lumaki, being the first apo, spending schooldays there and holidays with my parents in their newly purchased house in marikina during the '80s. so nung nag-high school lang ako saka ako nag-fulltime sa marikina, pero the first 12 years of my life, sa lola ako.

yes, i am a lola's girl, and proud of it.

during my college years, my tita migrated to canada and siyempre ang kasunod nun, petition. so dun na tumira si lolo at lola, hanggang sa kinuha na ni lord si lola when i was in my twenties.

medyo ten years na ata since that time. pero naaalala ko pa pala ang maraming bagay sa aking kabataan.

one thing with our families, mahilig kami sa arts, kahit bibihira sa amin ang directly nag-enggage sa arts, for a living or professionally. may tita akong illustrator sa legendary liwayway magazine, at may isa rin akong tita na editor-writer din sa women's magazines. may pinsan akong naging artista sa soaps at kasabayan sina juday at iba pang child actors before. may pinsan akong graphics artist. hm, yun lang yata. kaya mangha sila sa akin sa pagiging (literary) writer chuvalu, lalo na sa aking film/tv engagement chenelyn. so ang first and solid fans club ko e syempre ang relatives. bet naman. we support each other that way.

can you tell me
how to get
how to get to
sesame street...

music is one art we love, as some of us love singing (like any other card-carrying certified karaoke/videoke pinoy) while most -- if not all -- of us love dancing. joke ko nga lagi, dapat "bailar" ang apelyido namin instead of "cantor" dahil mas masayaw kami. nung high school nga ako, magdi-disco kaming magpipinsan kasama ang mga tita not bilang chaperone but bilang sasayaw sila kapag abba music ang sinalang ng dj hehe. tapos uupo kami at maghihintay ng 80s songs ulit hehe.

kaya it's no wonder that i have my own vinyl records before, even before i knew how to spell "vinyl." kasama sa treasure chest ko of records (45rpm) ay yung theme song ng voltes v (at yung sappy love song sa ending ang flipside nito), meron akong 72rpm (tama ba? 72) ng isang sesame street album, kaya memorize ko ang "rubber duckie" song ni ernie at ang theme song ng sesame street. meron ding longplaying album (LP ang tawag sa malalaki) ng chipmunks christmas, kaya kaya kong kumanta ng chipmunks voice during carolling dati (favorite ko yung "all i want for christmas is my two front teeth") na kinaiinisan ng mga co-carollers ko hehe. plus of course yung tumambling ako kay mommy na pinabili kong thriller album ni michael jackson (huge mj fan here dati) na kakapanalo lang sa grammys noon.

shaun cassidy is the one on the left.
for the life of me, i dunno why i never
got hooked to these series, even though
i devoured all nancy drew books during
my youth. i didn't like hardy boys books.

my titas had their own collections, of course. and of course, my lola did, too. so amidst all the leif garret and shaun cassidy and abba records, merong panaka-nakang records sina aawitan kita lady armida siguion reyna, celeste legaspi singing saranggola ni pepe, and of course, some kundiman records.

kaya it hit me when i heard pakiusap last night. it was one of the kundimans i grew up listening to. grabe, it struck a chord, pun intended, so to speak. hindi ko memorya lahat, pero ang part na ito ang nag-resonate sa akin dahil ito pala ang nakatatak sa, aherm, puso ko:

----------------------------------
Kung sakali ma't salat sa yama't pangarap,
May isang sumpang wagas,
Ang aking paglingap.
Pakiusap ko sa iyo kaawaan mo ako,
Kahit mamatay, pag-ibig ko'y minsan lamang.
-----------------------------------------------------------

yan. yan lang part na yan. kakaiba.

tuwing hapon kasi, kung hindi nagbabasa si lola ng komiks (at nakikibasa naman ako), nakikinig siya ng records na yan. kaya memorya ko rin ang repertoire ni celeste legaspi at armida siguion reyna. ayus lang naman. pero never did i realize na tumatak pala ang mga music na ito sa akin. ngayon ko lang na-appreciate ng husto ang lyricism and versification ng tula sa kanta at himig ng melodya. ayan, nai-intellectualize ko na ang appreciation ko sa kanila like a true thinking UP arts person. pero to put it simply, the songs are beautiful, effective, and freakingly and fucking romantic. not only do they transport you to a time and place that we wish we could have experienced, but they bring a certain kind of pureness of joy, a simpler peace of mind offering, and real warmth of heartwarming feelings. basta. parang ganun.

and of course, ang reyna ng kundiman sa ating history ay si atang dela rama, kung kanino nakabase ang dulang may kanta na ito ni floy quintos. panalo naman ito. mas na-appreciate ko ito kesa dun sa, hay, sa st. louis loves dem filipinos the musical. um, chakaness lang nun :( sayang.

at yes, kung si atang dela rama ang crush ng bayan before (ng mga arts greats nicanor abelardo, amado hernandez, jose corazon de jesus), ang kundiman ang original pinoy emo music. bow. yun lang naman ang gusto kong sabihin :P

hay haggard... i didn't want to feel this way but, ewan, slight na-stendhal syndrome ata ako kagabi sa performance.

congratulations sa inyo, mareng frances, mamu tuxqs and sa lahat. winner ang produksyon na ito. naluha ako truli! nubah! :P

yes, i am a sap.

and sometimes, proud of it.

Manila Times column for 12 December 2008 "The Ricky Lee experience, literary"

original post here.

i don't know what happened to the title, but my original was "the ricky lee experience, literary version." oh well...

THE SCRIBE VIBE
By Libay Linsangan Cantor
The Ricky Lee experience, literary

As I mentioned last week, perhaps it is hard for a Filipino scriptwriter not to come upon foremost scriptwriter Ricky Lee in film circles. But who’s to say that literary writers won’t chance upon Lee in the literary circles as well?

It might be hard to believe that writers could write in different formats. A scriptwriter could also be a journalist, writer of magazine articles, nonfiction essays, short stories, stage plays, poetry, even song lyrics. Yes, Lee has been all that, and now, a novelist, too.

In November, he launched his first novel Para Kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin). Interesting title, but that didn’t come out “un-workshopped” so to speak. This is where my literary Ricky Lee experience comes in.

In October, a friend said she was doing a survey about a book title of a novel about love. She wanted to see how the title would stand up to others at the Filipiniana sections of bookstores. She gave a gist of the story (a writer writing about his characters and the characters’ own stories unfold), its style (meta-fiction type of development), and its intended audience (everyone who can read). Needless to say, they want the book to be bought.

But amidst dwindling sales of books written by Filipino authors, my friend and her novelist friend were worried about the public’s—especially the younger ones’—reception of the novel. Thus, I gave my two cents’ worth about the original title (I disagreed) and explained my decision. I suggested that she should create an online poll to see if the title will hold.

She revealed that the novelist is none other than Ricky Lee, a good friend of hers, and a literary writer at heart. In the 1980s, he already published a collection of short stories and essays, and has two more novels to launch by next year, along with a short story collection.

I rethought my answer to her survey and concluded that any title he puts there would be irrelevant, as the tag “a novel by Ricky Lee” will be its main selling point anyway. Whatever this man writes is sure to be a hit—movies, TV shows and now novels.

I was right. The hundreds of supporters who lined up to get a copy of his book were testament enough that Lee is a formidable writer in the literary circles as well.

Comments? Suggestions? Email libay.scribevibe@gmail.com.
Version

Attn: Film 200 advisees

Our consultation session will be on Tuesday, 16 December at the UPFI Academic Division office. Pass by anytime from 1230pm to 2pm.

Should you need another consultation after this session, let's schedule them individually na lang.

Thanks.

Attn: Film 121 students - classes tomorrow

Apologies for the lateness of this message, but our Film 121 class will still push through tomorrow, 11 December, as we need to have one final session before we break for Christmas.

So please come on time for our workshop tomorrow at 1pm.

Try to catch up with the student convocation chenelyn afterward.

Salamat. Please tell your other classmates.

my pride march day horoscope

Taurus Horoscopes
(Apr 20 - May 20)

Saturday, Dec 6th, 2008 -- Thinking about new ways to improve a current relationship won't necessarily make it any better, but it's a good start. Unfortunately, it may seem hopeless when you analyze what steps must be taken to get to where you want to go. Instead of being hard on yourself, consider revising your expectations. You may be closer to satisfaction than you realize.

see you in malate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008LGBT MANILA PRIDE MARCH fast facts and guidelines

some notes about the PRIDE MARCH. an educational and worthy read, for all.

see you saturday! the UPFI contingent might join forces with the official UP CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION contingent at the PRIDE MARCH. sama-sama mga taga-peyups!


for those who are wary of being OUTED BY MARCHING and for other REASONS FOR THE MARCH, read this:


2008 MANILA PRIDE MARCH 6 December 2008, 1pm, Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, Philippines

>> Guidelines: Dealing with Media and Press <<

A few guidelines and tips to make your life easier when there are members of the Press hovering at the Pride March assembly.

Say NO if you don't want to be interviewed or photographed. Tell them politely and ask the assistance of the Marshals.

You don't have to give in to the requests of the Press. If they ask you to kiss your partner but you feel you don't want to, then DON'T DO IT! It's your prerogative. Use your better judgment!

The Press does not have the authority to stop the march either to take pictures or ask for an interview. They can interview your group BEFORE and/or AFTER the march.

When delivering your message, remember KISS -- Keep it simple, Sister! Keep it short and sweet!

If you are not sure of your answer, please refer the Press to the TFP Spokespersons. They are at the Registration Table at Remedios Circle.

Be Prepared. Take your time to gather your thoughts when answering questions. Remember that you are representing your group. Always emphasize that it is your opinion (or your group's) and not of the entire community.








10 Fast Facts About the 2008 Manila Pride March

1) What is the Pride March all about?

Pride marches (also known as pride parades, pride events, and pride festivals) started out as gay (and lesbian) freedom marches. These events celebrate sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, as well as the rights, welfare, and culture of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, intersexed, and queers (LGBTIQs).

Early on the morning of Saturday, 28 June 1969, LGBTs rioted following a police raid on a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in New York City, USA. The Stonewall riots are generally considered to be the beginning of the modern LGBT rights movement, as it was the first time in modern history that a significant body of LGBT people resisted arrest and stood up for their rights to exist and celebrate life.

On 28 June 1970, the first anniversary of the riots, the Gay Liberation Front organized the first Gay Freedom March in New York City in commemoration of the Stonewall riots. Other marches were simultaneously held in California, USA and have continued around the world ever since.

On 26 June 1994, the 25th anniversary year of the Stonewall riots, Manila became host to the first-ever Pride March in the Philippines and in Asia. This momentous event was organized by the Progressive Organization of Gays in the Philippines (PROGAY) and was co-sponsored by the Metropolitan community Church (MCC) Manila. On that historic day, Filipino LGBTs braved the rain to march from EDSA down to Quezon Avenue and around the Quezon City Memorial Circle as part of the global commemoration of the Stonewall riots.

In the years 1996, 1997 and 1998 it was ReachOut Foundation International that organized and produced the Manila LGBT Pride March. In 1999, Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines was founded and has been carrying in it march, the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB) crafted by the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB) Philippines. The ADB, still pending in Congress, is authored and sponsored by former Representative Etta Rosales of Akbayan Party-list.

In 2005, at the height of the political crisis rocking the Arroyo Administration, concerned LGBTs came together to organize the First Philippine LGBT Freedom March. The March was aimed at thwarting threats to freedoms and liberties of Filipinos in general and Filipino LGBTs in particular. In response to the Administration’s twin policies of “no permit, no rally” and “Calibrated Pre-emptive Response” (CPR) to organized and peaceful dissent and assemblies, the LGBT Freedom March Organizing Committee formulated the theme “CPR: Celebrating Pride and Rights.” On 10 December 2005, individuals and members of groups and networks Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines and PROGAY marched side by side in the spirit of unity, friendship, and militant glamour along the streets of España and Quiapo underpass all the way to the historical Plaza Miranda. To date, not only is the LGBT Freedom March of 2005 in Manila one of the most socio-politically relevant LGBT marches in Philippine history, it also remains to be the biggest and most diverse LGBT march in terms of participants and audience.


2) What is Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines?

In 1999, Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines was officially founded as an organizing network of the annual Pride March in Manila. TFP is a network of LGBT groups and individuals, as well as of LGBT-friendly groups/individuals, that seeks to promote positive visibility for the LGBT community. This year’s Pride March is particularly significant as it marks TFP’s 10th year which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR60) and the launch in Manila of the Yogyakarta Principles, an international declaration and instrument which affirms sexual orientation and gender identity and expression as part of fundamental human rights.

3) When and where will the 2008 Manila Pride March be held?

This year’s Pride March will be held on 6 December 2008 (Saturday), from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. On-site registration and assembly is from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at the Remedios Circle, Malate or you can pre-register your participation online at www.manilapride2008.com.

The route of this year’s March is: Remedios Circle - Remedios Street - Mabini - Pedro Gil - Ma. Orosa Street. The March will be followed by the coronation of Miss Queen Philippines, the official Pride Queen of the 2008 Manila Pride March, and a brief cultural program showcasing both LGBT and LGBT-supportive talents. The March will culminate in a street party along Maria Orosa Street by the Orosa-Nakpil Courtyard.


4) Why will the 2008 Manila Pride March be held in December?

In 2003, TFP decided to move the Manila Pride March to December primarily to make the event closer to the 1-10 December Human Rights Week, which includes World AIDS Day, International Lesbian Day, and International Human Rights Day. In addition, the Pride Season was also expanded so that pride celebrations in Manila start in June (the International Pride Month) and culminate in the Pride March on the first Saturday of December.

5) What is the theme of the 2008 Manila Pride March?

This year’s Pride March pays tribute to: Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Loves, Our Selves. Thus, the 2008 Manila Pride March is expected to be the most visually spectacular to date. Participants are encouraged to put on our best fairytale and fantasy costume, design our float accordingly, and help transform the streets of Malate into a bursting display of rainbow colors and pride. The March is open to all human rights- and equal rights-believing individuals regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.





6) Why should Filipino LGBTs come out and celebrate Pride?

Coming out or “coming out of the closet” describes the usually voluntary public revealing of a person's sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Being "out" is considered the opposite of being closeted and usually refers to sexuality and gender minorities. Coming out is an important process in a person’s coming to terms with her/his sexuality. It's hard not to come out. It's hard to feel fully good about ourselves if we have an important secret that we can't tell anyone. That kind of hiding reinforces the belief that there is something shameful or faulty about being LGBT. In truth, there is nothing wrong with being LGBT. There is something wrong with a world that makes us feel ashamed or afraid because of who we are. Acknowledging a part of ourselves that goes against what most people feel comfortable with is truly a brave thing to do. It doesn't mean that we’re not scared. Being brave is about continuing to do what we need to do -- in spite of the fear.


7) Why should families and friends of LGBTs and other straight people support the Pride March?

The Pride March is a celebration of equality among all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Families and friends of LGBTs and other straight people should support the LGBT community and our cause because we want nothing more than equal rights – that is, to be treated by society with respect and dignity and to be free to love those whom we love.

Our message to our families and friends: do not fear the unknown. Get to know your family member or friend who just happens to be LGBT. We are the same gay father, lesbian daughter, or transgender son that you have always known and loved. Be involved in our lives but respect boundaries. All we want is equal treatment. You have taught us to demand to be treated with respect. That is all we are doing.



8) What does the rainbow flag signify?

The rainbow flag, sometimes called “the freedom flag”, was popularized as a symbol of LGBT pride and diversity by a San Francisco artist in 1978. The different colors symbolize diversity and the flag is used predominantly at pride events worldwide in various forms including banners, clothing, and jewelry. For the 25th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a mile-long rainbow flag was created and post-parade cut up in sections that have since been used around the world.

Originally created with eight colors, the rainbow flag now consists of six colored stripes. Aside from the symbolism of a diverse LGBT community, the colors were designed to symbolize: red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), blue (harmony), and purple/violet (spirit). It is most commonly flown with the red stripe on top, as the colors appear in a natural rainbow.


9) What terms are usually preferred to refer to members of the LGBT community?

The terms lesbian, lesbiyana, tomboy, gay men, bakla or bading are usually preferred to describe someone attracted to persons of the same sex. A bisexual is someone who is attracted to both women and men.

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The term may include but is not limited to: transsexuals, cross-dressers, and other gender-variant people. Many transgender people identify as female-to-male (FTM) or male-to-female (MTF). It is suggested that the descriptive term (transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, FTM or MTF) preferred by the transgender person be used. Transgender people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically.

A person need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.


10) What terms are generally considered derogatory to members of the LGBT community?

Terms like “fag”, “faggot”, “binabae”, “AC-DC”, “homo”, “sodomite”, “queen”, “she-male”, “he-she”, “it”, “trannie”, “tranny”, “gender-bender” and similar epithets are generally considered derogatory. Because of the clinical history of the term “homosexual”, it has been adopted by anti-gay extremists to suggest that lesbians and gay men are somehow psychologically/emotionally disordered. Filipino gay men may fondly call each other bakla or bading, while Filipino lesbians may jokingly call each other dyke or tomboy and it will not be considered derogatory usage because some terms historically considered offensive have been reclaimed by the LGBT community to disempower hate speech. Hence, it is important to remember that the power of a word is always relative to the context in which it is used.

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learn real life lessons, now.