Homosexual Discrimination

The LRT stopped to fetch commuters in a particular terminal when I saw a teenager walked in the train. There was a vacant seat near the door, so he sat on it. After two stations, I noticed what he’s wearing. It’s not the “normal” outfit for “real men.” Yes, I thought he’s gay.

He was wearing a light blue shirt. It was much fitted to him and it had a very short sleeves. He was also wearing skinny jeans, a dark blue one. His nails were colored with dark purple, and glitters were scattered all over it. No wonder why I perceived him as “gay.” Who cares anyway?

Filipino men have different receptions of these gays. Some men want to kill the gays they see. Some men want to get rid of all the gays in the world. Some men don’t want to lose them, just for the sake of their “entertainment” whenever they make fun of those gays. Some men respect gay community as much as how they respect people. I’m proud to say that I’m one of those men.

I don’t care if a person is homosexual or not. If that makes them happy, I’d respect it so. Men who criticize gays too much are gays by mind. I don’t know their definition of “gay” anyway so I won’t have to say more about those weird men. But treating a not-one-of-us type person doesn’t have to reach the limit “DISCRIMINATION.” It’s unfair to live in this life, yes. Still, we must also think about the happiness of the people around us.

Filipino men often discriminate gays while walking on the street, or if a gay serves them in one establishment, or in any instances that involve gay people. Bad words are received by these poor humans, or worst case, physical harm. I pity those harmed gays, but I pity more those men who hurt people because of illogical motives. If I know, a man only dares to hurt gays when he knows that his gender dominates in a certain place. Or let’s get general. Men single out those gays because they know that their number in this planet prevails.

Here’s what I think: What if someday, gays outnumber men? If that day arrives, men should dig a big hole and bury their asses.

We never know how far could that be. Discrimination will surely be there, but with more respect and fairer judgment. Gays have merged the way girls think with men’s beliefs. So, it’s kinda good. Then, men would lose their strength in hurting these gays because they don’t have enough troops to fight against them. Gays would somehow try to avenge. They would also treat men unfairly, they would harm men just how men have ruined their lives. And it’s not a good thing to happen.

Men should treat gays fairly. They’re also humans. They feel hurt, they feel sad, they feel happy. They can feel whatever we can feel. Don’t wait for the time when wheels go round. In fact, if I would be given a child who’s gay, I’d accept him. I just don’t want him to wear clothes like girls. I hate gays wearing kinkier clothes than women. If my son would become a gay, I’d still be a good father to him. I’m after his and everyone’s happiness. Even if it  would cost my own happiness too.

Newly learned songs

My friend Chino Granda brought his iPod to school. I borrowed his iPod when we were about to go to his house. I’ve been searching for these songs, the songs you hear when you’re listening to radio while driving home late at night. I hope you can relate. Just watch these vids and listen!

This is the original soundtrack of the movie La Boum. It was sung by Richard Sanderson:

I can’t find videos of Ambrosia, the original artist for I Just Can’t Let Go. However, this is Sabado Boys’ version of the song:

Gerry’s Baked Scallops

One fateful Sunday evening, my dad was in the mood to go out for dinner. I suggested unfamiliar restaurants to him but he had chosen Gerry’s for an unidentified reason. Since I was craving for a new taste, I ordered new set of dishes. My mom ordered a new baked something. Usually, we order Baked Tahong for appetizer. But that night, she ordered Baked Scallops.

I only eat scallops in Super Bowl. I forgot the name but it’s also good.

Gerry’s Baked Scallops are kinda different. It has a taste of butter, cheese, and I don’t know. Basta masarap siya! Its expensiveness fits its taste. Worth it.

Right now, I’m craving again for three plates of Baked Scallops…

Searching for the right one

I lost one of the most beloved possessions in my whole life. It broke up in the dark. The crack was not pleasant in my eyes down deep in my heart. In days gone by, I was hoping and confident that the harmful feeling would vanish through time. I thought there’s a one smooth way on how to fix that thing. But I was wrong. It could still hurt until now.

My W960i was broken last March. I wrote a blog about it. I won’t be able to use it anymore because of motherboard damage. Sony Ericsson advised me to buy a new one instead of replacing the motherboard, which has the same price as the brand new. I couldn’t do anything but use my legendary Nokia 1110i. It has been fun to use low-tech phones. Most of the new-gen phones have sluggish systems, and I hate it specially when I’m texting.

I prefer phones having decent organizer features. Document-reader phones would be better. I love listing down tasks, jotting down notes, checking calendars for schedules, alarms and reminders. So, my phone really has to be a business phone. In fact, my laptop doesn’t have games at all. Not because I use Macintosh and it’s really hard to find games for it, but, I use my laptop mainly for school works and internet. Features and various applications are appreciated ONLY if those apps would help my job become lighter.

On calls, I pick phones that possess earphones socket. It’s not for music-listening purposes. Calls are more important. But my Sun Cellular is in my old school Nokia phone right now. And if ever I’m gonna have a new phone for Globe, Sun would still be in a Nokia phone. So, earphones are really for my Sun Cell’s and not for Globe. Yet, I’d be pleased if I see earphones in my new phone’s box. That would be useful when I drive myself home next time. (Asa lang.)

Texting always comes before these two. If a phone has complete applications for organizers, and earphones in its box, but the keypad is not “finger-friendly,” I’d rather have my Nokia phone than using a phone with a narrow-spaced keypad. Big keys are always held in high regard. Just look at W960i’s keypad. It’s wide and big, quite irritating yet it’s favorable to me. I always text. That’s why keypads do play a big role.

As of now, I’m not sure if I’m going to buy a new phone or just wait for Globe’s loyalty award. I’ve been using my Globe number since year 2000. I got my first reward when I was in 3rd year high school. For 6 years, my account was filled with points to getting a more expensive reward. I got this phone, P990i, which also played a big role in three years of my life.

Right now, I have wide range of choices. iPhone’s not in my list, but I’m considering it because I’ve realized its compatibility with my laptop. Syncing and other stuff would be easier if I have the same OS for both phone and computer. These are my other choices, which all happen to be Sony Ericsson:

Sony Ericsson G900

Sony Ericsson X10

Sony Ericsson W980

Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness

The other choice would be Sony Ericsson W960i. Yes, I want to bring it back. Unfortunately, Sony Ericsson stores have already phased out this phone for it’s a limited edition, and they won’t bring it back again. I just hope they’d do it for winter. HAHAHA.

It’s so hard to let go of your past, and whether you like it or not, you have to find a new one. Oops. Sa phone lang yan ha.

Here are the reasons why Friendster lost its fans

This blog was written October last year. I have witnessed the innovation of Friendster, and found these reasons (in my humble opinion) why did the fans cancel/leave their accounts there.

Friendster Bongbongs

Ang sarap mag-Friendster diba? Kaya lang talagang sa buhay ng tao, hindi ka pwedeng hindi maasar kahit minsan. Kung nasaan yung tao, dun may nakakaasar. Mga tao lang naman yung gumagawa ng paraan para maasar din yung mga tao, diba?

Maraming registered accounts sa Friendster. Sobrang dami. Kaya nga yung mga nagkakandarapang mga ads, dapat dito nagpupunta. Siguradong nasa isang milyong Pilipino mahigit ang nag-la-log in sa Friendster araw araw.

Pero minsan kasi, nakakaasar nang tumingin ng Friendster. Kaya nga nagkaroon ng Friendster, para mahanap mo yung kaibigan mo na matagal nang di nakita, di nakausap, etc. Kaya ka rin nag-pi-Friendster para makilala yung taong hinahanap mo. Makilala ng mabuti yung mga taong gusto mong makausap.

Nagkakamali na yung mga tao habang tumatagal sa paggamit ng Friendster.

Bongbong File#1: Friendster design

Hindi naman masamang magkaroon ng design yung mga Friendster accounts na yan. Kaya lang kasi, sa dami ng design, OA na! As in hindi mo na mabasa yung mga nakasulat sa profiles nila. Mas malaki pa yung picture ng design kesa dun sa picture nila. Ang weirdo. Nagmumukhang scrapbook yung profile nila dahil sa dami ng nakalagay.

Bongbong File#2: Friendster applications

Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan nito. Hindi naman nakakatulong. Nakakabagal na ng loading, nakakapangit pa ng profile. Hindi ka naman tumingin ng profile niya para maglaro, diba? Hindi ka naman tumingin ng profile niya para mag-survey. Hindi ka tumingin ng profile niya para makinig ng kanta! Tumingin ka ng profile niya dahil dun sa tao.

May nakita pa kong nakakaasar na application. Yung may emotion na smiley. Siguro, maganda yun para makamusta ka ng kaibigan mo kung okay ka na ba. Pero sa tingin ko, kaya siya nag-Friendster para malibang. Ano pang sense na ilagay mo dun na malungkot ka, masaya ka, o kung ano ka man.

Bongbong File#3: Friendster Bulletin

Kaya ka naman mag-bu-bulletin board para malaman ng iba yung mga announcements, invitations, diba? Hindi ka naman nag-post sa bulletin para malaman ng buong tao na may nakasama kang artista, na mahal mo yung isang tao, na nasa Starbucks ka, na may bago kang camera, gadgets, gaming console; at higit sa lahat, hindi ka naman nag-post para isumpa yung mga nasa friends list mo! Lahat yan, form ng announcement. Pero, walang kwentang announcement yang ganyan!

Bongbong File#4: Friendster comments

Hindi ko alam sa Friendster administrators kung bakit gumawa pa ng “Comments or Testimonials” at “Messages” kung lahat naman din ng kwentuhan at pangangamusta eh nasa Comments or Testimonials? Ang layo naman ng meaning ng “comment” sa “message” diba? Nag-pa-flood yung buong page ng profile dahil sa mga “comments” DAW na hindi naman talaga comment. Corny na ba kung sabihin pa yung good traits ng nasa profile? E di wag mag-comment, diba? Ginagamit lang din ‘to para magparinig.

Bongbong File#5: Friendster E-mail Addresses

Kadugtong ‘to ng File no.4! Bakit napipilitang ilagay ang kwentuhan ng mga magkaka-Friendster sa comments? Mga pasaway kasi. Para makapag-send ka kasi ng private message sa Friendster, tinatanong ng matino kung ano yung e-mail address mo. Tapos, hindi ibibigay. Magiimbento ng e-mail address para lang makagawa ng profile. Tapos, kapag pina-verify, wala na. Supalpal!

Bongbong File#6: Friendster Pictures

Hindi naman ‘to gaano nakakaasar. Kung may gusto ka naman talagang ilagay sa album. Pero sa totoo lang, kahit meron akong mga albums, minsan nagtataka rin ako kung bakit kailangan mo magkaroon ng album sa Friendster. Pwedeng, yung primary photo na lang naman ang ilagay. Pero yung nakakaasar na sinasabi ko, yung tipong ilalagay nila sa primary photo yung mga bagay na mejo “in” sa panahon, para sikat. O di kaya, ipapakita ng naka-caps kung saang lugar yon. Mejo mayabang yung dating. Sad but true.

Bongbong File#7: Friendster shoutouts

Hindi ko rin alam kung para saan to. Ito siguro yung pangalawa sa pagpapakita ng announcement mo. Yung tipong, pagdating mo ng profile niya, nakalagay sa shoutout niya kung saan sa profile niya yung dapat mong tignan. O hindi kaya, yung mga minor announcements na sa profile mo lang gusto ilagay. Ang nakakaasar dito, maglalagay ng quotes. Maglalagay ng kanta. For what?

Bongbong File#8: Friendster Names

Ito yung pinaka-nakakaasar. Bakit ka nga ba nag-register sa Friendster? Nung una. Gusto lang nito, networking. Yung mga magkakaibigan, magkikita-kita ulit. Yung mga interests, hobbies, gusto mo malagay dito. Magandang paraan ‘to para magkaroon ka ng mga kaibigan kung saan-saan. Pwede ka ring magkaroon ng kasama kung pareho kayo ng hobbies. O kung type mo yung nasa profile, pwede kayo magkakilala. Mas safe ang Friendster sa pagpapakilala ng sarili sa ibang tao kesa sa texting.

Kung hindi mo ilalagay yung tunay mong pangalan, at lalagyan mo pa ng kung ano-anong characters sa pangalan mo, paano ka kaya mahahanap ng mga taong gusto kang makita? Hindi madaling ma-identify yung pangalan ninyo kung puro kaartehan yung magiging pangalan niyo. Buti sana kung taguan dito, diba. Nonsense ang Friendster kung hindi mo naman pangalan yung ilalagay. Hindi ka makikilala in short.

May tatamaan sigurado dito. Sa dami ba naman ng ganyan sa Pilipinas. Pero wala akong pinapatamaan. Gusto ko lang mag-share. Hindi kita pinilit magbasa, diba? Hindi naman bawal gawin tong mga Bongbongs na to. Kaya lang, nagiging useless na kasi ang Friendster dahil sa ganyan.

Kung isang professor ko lang ang makaka-kita ng mga gawain ng mga Friendster Bongbongs, ito ang masasabi niya:

“YOU ARE STUPID, AND IDIOT!”

I can’t believe I’ve penned these observations a year ago. I just hope Facebook could lessen these corniness of the Filipinos when it comes to using social-networking sites.