Relationship analysis..through a Filipino's eyes

Girl is ugly + Guy is Handsome = Guy is a smooth talkin' player

Girl is pretty + Guy is ugly = Girl is rich

Girl is pretty + Guy is handsome = Relationship is a match made in heaven.

Girl is ugly + Guy is ugly = NO CHOICE.

Nice choice of words Mr. Taxi Man

Reaching record high cursing during rainy days in Manila

It's no surprise that during a time of crises businesses tend to unfairly increase their prices, especially when they know their goods are in high demand (e.g. rice, bread, gas, etc.) During Huricane Katrina gas stations were selling gas at exorbiant prices and profited from people's need for fuel.

In the Philippines, cab drivers like to take advantage of the heavy rains to profit off of people's misfortune. Last week I went shopping for my birthday outfit at megamall. By 7pm it started raining really hard. The taxi lines were too long so we opted to cheat and wait on the curb to see if there were any taxis we can grab without having to wait in line. Of course, we weren't the only ones there. In fact, the line along the highway was just as long as the taxi line in front of the mall.

Regardless, we tried our luck.

Every single taxi we encountered demanded more than the metered fare. Even the ugliest cab was demanding more than what people were willing to pay. Tons of cabs passed potential passengers, completely apathetic to the fact that people were getting soaked in the rain.

Cabs that stopped were swarmed by people clamoring to get a ride and escape the rain. The drivers simply rolled down their windows and chose passengers who were willing to pay the most.

In fact, I got so desparate to get a cab home I wanted to punch someone in the face who pushed me aside for the cab I was about to get into. After standing in the rain for four hours straight without an umbrella, you can imagine my distress and anger. All I saw was red and I wanted to punch the fat-self-entitled lady who stole my cab. She simply said, "Excuse me, that's my cab." I wanted to talk back so bad but by the time I could say something she was already inside and I was seething with anger. I guess when it's raining all politness goes out the window and it's everyone for themselves.

Rainy Philippines definitely bring out the worst in people.

I had another experience where it was raining so hard that the sidewalk I cross everyday to get home was flooded. I managed to hail a taxi and asked for a ride to get across the water. The ride should not have cost more than 40 pesos. Instead he charged me an additional 100 pesos to the metered fare. Of course I could afford it but I was so pissed off at the cab driver who gained to profit off of my misery.

Instead, in Tagalog, I cursed his mother for bringing him into existance, slammed the door hard, and prayed Karma would retaliate. Even though walking through the muddy, disgusting water was hell for me and my new flats, I got more satisfaction from cursing at that annoying, self-adsorbed, petty cab driver. Till this day, I hope that misfortune comes upon those who only make others suffer.

I can see a lot of people disagreeing with me on this and wanting me to be Jesus lovin' and shed my hate for all taxi drivers who have ever price gouged their fares. However, how about you try waiting in the rain for four hours straight as every single cab tries to take advantage of your unfortunate situation.

Op-Ed Submission: Response to the Church's Condom Ban

A Filipino Youth Perspective: Why Stop The Free Condoms?

 

On Valentine’s Day, the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) distributed free condoms to address the current HIV/AIDS issue in the Philippines. The following day, the news reported that the Catholic Church had condemned the DOH on their condom campaign because they believe “the availability of condoms promotes sexual licentiousness amongst Filipino youth.” The ridiculousness of that phrase is very upsetting.

Conservative religious groups hold so much power over which policies are made in regards to women’s health in the Philippines. Current women’s health policies do not solve realistic problems. Instead, they only cater to conservative ideologies that a majority of people may not adhere to but are forced to abide by. After the Catholic Church’s condemnation of DOH’s condom campaign, they proceeded to create such uproar on public condom ads and demanded that they all be banned. In doing so, the Catholic Church attempted to infringe on our right to educate ourselves and ALSO our freedom of speech. Where does it stop?

On March 8, the world will be celebrating International Woman’s Day. It is a day that recognizes gender equality and condemns violence against women. However, sometimes the gravest violations of women’s rights do not have to be so blatant and massive. It can be subtle and silent.

Women in the Philippines are stigmatized for being HIV positive. Young women are judged when they buy condoms from the stores. They are not given proper education on how to plan their families or to prevent sexually transmitted illnesses.

The Philippines may be taking a step forward in addressing the current HIV/AIDS issue but due to the ever increasing power of conservative policymakers, the Philippines is also taking two steps back. Any chance for progress in women’s health or controlling the rise in HIV/AIDS rates sadly disappears.

Distributing free condoms only on Valentine’s Day is not enough. A comprehensive and continual campaign for educating people on safe sex should be present, which should include free access to contraceptives. For conservative groups to say condom campaigns encourage licentiousness is unfair because it does not exactly tackle the reality of the problem, which are people are having unprotected sex NOW.

Realistically speaking, demanding that people abstain from sex cannot really happen. Regardless of what conservative groups may believe, people will make their own choices. The best thing governments and institutions can do is educate people so they can make the right choice for themselves, which means campaigning on abstinence, being faithful in relationships, AND condom use (ABC) equally.
For the HIV/AIDS issue in the Philippines to finally get some media attention now is ridiculous. It is an issue that DESERVES to be at the forefront all the time. It is unfair to prevent young people from educating themselves and others on safe sex. Most of all, it is unfair to create health policies that do not address the real problems in our society. All of the progress the Philippine has made to modernize and become a developed country will not matter if people are not equipped with tools to make the right decisions about their health.

Op-Ed Submission: Promiscuity an ailment of society? Or just a one-dimensional excuse?

Promiscuity an Ailment-Condoms no cure for it

Promiscuity an ailment of society? Or just a one-dimensional excuse?

This opinion piece is in response to Ms. Rodriguez’s article, “Promiscuity an ailment; condoms no cure for it.” Promiscuity is NOT a mental illness. In fact to say so is to label more than half the population in the Philippines as “Mentally Ill.” To say so would be a call to institutionalize more than half of the population in Africa ravaged by HIV/AIDS.


People, who choose to have more than one partner, do so by choice. It is a lifestyle that does not only cater to men, but also women. Either gender can make a lifestyle choice that suite their tastes, but it is not grounds to call them mentally ill.
The second group of people who have more than one sexual partner are those who may not see a choice in the matter (e.g. prostitutes and trafficked victims). Whether by choice, due to economic strain, poverty, or homelessness they were placed into such a situation, we have no right to judge. However, they are entitled to protect their own health and sexual well-being too. To say that they do not deserve to be educated or given proper access to contraceptives, simply because they need psychiatric help instead, is borderline abuse on their human rights.

It can thus be concluded that the concept of sexuality varies in society. It can be seen as an expression of love between a man and a woman. It can be seen as a means to financial ends. It can be seen as a personal lifestyle choice. Sexuality can also be objectified, personified, and subjectified to fit society’s needs and choices. Whatever the reason is should not entitle others to categorize people who may have had more than one sexual partner as mentally ill. Doing so will not cure HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted illnesses, prevent unsafe abortion, or unintended pregnancy, when in fact it could exacerbate it to a point where people will not want to report their STIs in fear of being institutionalized and stigmatized by people in society.
“Therapy” will not make condoms unnecessary. Unfortunately, that is not how society works. People will make their own choices about their bodies, whether influenced by the media, economic incentives, or by their friends. There are external forces that are at play here that many of us cannot control, particularly if it involves the personal lives and choices of others. However, educating people, instead of institutionalizing them, about ways to protect themselves is something that can be done: Abstinence, Be Faithful, and Condom use are the basic ABCs to reproductive health and responsible relationships. Each approach should be implemented and adhered to equally; not just the former.

Simply by saying “using therapy as a means to cut down on condom use and prevent promiscuity” is a one-dimensional solution that does not address the current realities of people’s lives.

Fast Food Turns Gourmet

Being a Fatty at Krispy Kreme

When I went to Georgetown, I'd often make quick runs to Krispy Kreme in Dupont Circle to indulge in some not-so-good-for-you food that only college students can appreciate and AFFORD.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a Krispy Kreme establishment here in the Philippines. For once, I got an opportunity to satisfy my craving for those delicious glazed doughnuts that represents all aspects of obese society in America. I strolled up in line and asked for three deliciously glazed doughnuts. The worker at the counter kindly asked me if I wanted it to go or for dine in. I couldn't wait to start munching, so I excitedly said DINE IN! Expecting my bag of doughnuts to be handed to me on the spot, the cashier said they would serve it to me instead.

I paused for a moment, wondering why.. but thoughts of delicious doughnuts curbed my curiosity and I took a seat in the nice comfy chairs that they provided to patrons.

"This is fancy," I thought to myself.

On the corner of my eye, I see the cashier casually stroll up to me with my doughnuts. Except, they were not in a bag nor a box. Instead, each of my three doughnuts were neatly placed on three small individual plates in front of me.  Surprised, I looked at the cashier for answers then at the doughnuts in front of me.

I wanted to say, "You could have saved your dishwashing time by just giving the doughnuts to me in a bag."

However, I bit my tongue and automatically shrank into my chair as people stared at me and all the doughnuts in front of me...most likely thinking I was the biggest fatty in the world.

I sighed with relief when the lady kindly excused herself. Before I could pick a doughnut to munch on, she returned. Except this time she came armed with a fork, knife, and spoon. She neatly placed the utensils at the side of my table.

I looked at the supposed gourmet meal in front of me then back at her. She asked if there was anything else I needed.

I awkwardly replied, "No thankyou."

Three plates, three doughnuts, and a knife, spoon, and fork. Once again, I felt like such a fat ass for even contemplating the act of eating doughnuts with my hands and stuffing the whole thing in my mouth. God forbid..right?

For the first time in my life, I ate a doughnut with a knife and fork. I smiled awkwardly at the people around me and hoped they won't remember me as the girl who ordered three doughnuts for herself.

All the while I thought to myself, "when did Krispy Kreme doughnuts turn into gourmet dessert?"