Life in San Francisco

Be who you want to be. #StandForLGBT

In this community, we are filled with different types of people with unique qualities. Michael is an example of uniqueness as he is homosexual. He expressed his feelings written saying “I have found myself” directed to his Mama. He can no longer keep it a secret since he already found happiness and found himself with it. The right time never came but his right feeling came, the feeling of self-acceptance and confidence. Back at Orlando, he was having a hard time since no one really patted on his shoulder or lift him up and that’s why he learned to stand on his own. Knowing the capabilities of a person, he fought and searched himself. San Francisco, a city that wasn’t shiny or gloomy but a community that doesn’t measure a person by their gender. It’s funny how people react to someone’s gender knowing that they are part of the LGBTQ+, also knowing that they are living human beings. Michael expressed himself by the acceptance and nonjudgmental San Francisco. It’s not really the place that matters, it’s the people and finally, Michael found himself, expressed it and is full of ecstasy.

                I feel happy for Michael. He showed his true self which is beyond somebody’s limits. He made a pathway for himself for he made comfort within him and everybody. He decided to become he didn’t expect to become. He found himself and I felt power within, power that only few can encounter. Sadness touched me as I know this society is filled with hypocrites. The community we live in isn’t San Francisco that a person’s gender doesn’t define who they are. We live beyond our imaginaries. I imagines wearing the shoes of Michael knowing that he has carried so much weight and pressure for I know that no one accepted him in the long run. It’s hard to live sometimes knowing a part of you is missing and it frustrates me knowing that not only the place Orlando but this world, most of the people are too judgmental. And I feel guilty for that but the LGBTQ+ community should be respected as they are also living.

We are all the same, we grow together. #StandForLGBT

                I feel neutral among being sad and happy for Michael. Happy because I know he have already found himself, he saw his light, he saw himself. The most important thing to value is not how the people around you judge or look at you but how you derive your life. It’s about making it count, it for making yourself proud of who and what you’ve become. Sad because even though I don’t know the parents of Michael, I can still feel the goosebumps, the shivery hand and sweaty forhead as she (the mother) read the letter. I basically predict a person’s feeling by how I see them in movies but that doesn’t mean I already know what they’re actually feeling. Life is full of unexpected turns and I don’t know moments, just like this, I basically don’t know why I didn’t make this activity early.  Anyways, here’s a piece of advice for everybody. I know that we live in a place where we feel suffocated, where we ask ourselves “who are you? Who am I” and sometimes we loss it. Just like some people usually say, YOLO. You only live once, embrace the colors you built for yourself and explore the inner you and Michael also find himself. He is complete.

 

Express yourself no matter what. Dont let anyone bring you down.#StandForLGBT

                The downfall of this situation is not knowing how the parents (not only Michael) reacts upon this situation as I know there are people who are “against” this. It’s so frustrating knowing that the community won’t move upon the acts of some people who have been aggressively trash talk a person because of their gender. Not accepted in the main social and surrounding problems. I know that for sure if it’s hard to accept who you are, it’s impossible that you’ll just sleep for a day and expects that you are beautiful even if how you bring yourself. Acceptance is a domino effect as this will hit bullying, gay marriage and adoption. Bullying, I found it normal when someone bullies you because its how so called jocks hit the “losers” could feel high and mighty. Gay marriage, its actually illegal in some provinces, cities and country as this is so called “forbidden”. As what they said, God made Adam and Eve and never invented LGBT+ but that doesn’t mean they aren’t accepted. Basically this is like racism between genders. Adoption, in some adoption areas. They dint fully accept or trust gay or bisexual couples since it should be a boy and a girl.

                I truly don’t accept people who judge the LGBTQ+ and for starters I don’t care if what gender they are because it’s no big deal. If it makes a person happy, sure why not. Too help in a short way. Inform people that there should be equality among the LGBTQ+ and heterosexuality and this should be spread though Social media since drama and chaos always starts there. There shouldn’t be special treatments and boundaries since they are also living people. If people won’t seem to care about their life, the gender won’t matter. To have their back even if you don’t know them and TO NOT PROMOTE SOCIAL ISSUES because this is where it all started. Social media gives false information and creates fights. Social Issue is the reason why a bunch if people commit suicide because of shame, anxiety and depression. The number one thing that could help them is to start small just like what I follow in Facebook, a bisexual person created a page where the LGBTQ+ is allowed to express to what they feel. Promote a good environment not for the next generation but for yourself.

Start the change! #StandForLGBT

 Essence of Family day in my teenage life

          Life is uncertain. We definately dont know where we would end up and what would happen. But through that, we still end up with our family because we know that theyre the people that loves us full heartedly. For starters, family molds us to become a better person, it builds a path for us to see clearly and to set the future. They provide us with what we need and want. They will always support the life we wanted, accept the path we'll take and would fight for us even if it cost their life. Family is my strength, they're my light, they gave me power and dignity.

Sadly, we (my fam) didnt have a family photo but this will do.

          January 26, 2020. My last family day at ACT, my last family day as a high school student. I have never thought that time would be so fast since I have still remembered the Grade 7 family day dance and practices. Dancing for the last time was tense since we were the champions since Grade 7 and yes, were the defending champion. Knowing that my parents gave me unending support through out I have never felt overwhelmed. This years family day is the second time in high school that my Mom joined since she always go to Negros to celebrate my Grandfather's birthday. For me, this year’s family day is really a good ender because we're complete. I feel lucky to have them by my side even though we're facing alot of circumstances.

Sana ol dancer

a y i e e I look cute here

       


















          This day feels so special because I was surrounded by not only my family but also my high school friends. They have been amazing people since I have been with them for like 7 or more years (depending on the person). Family day is to cherish that you’re never alone. Its to see possibilities. Memories are builtand I have built it with amazing people and to be honest I have not expected that we (Me and Gianne) would have celebrated this day together. I counted everybody as my friend because I don’t belong in any group nor I want to be a part of any. Family day gave me a time to breath, tosee that I can also be independent, I can stand by my own but when I see everybody it made me realize I need my family.

          In the end, Ill always go home. Even though how many mistakes I have made Ill try my best to improve whether my family trusts me or not. Sometimes, believeing yourself is life having a family of your own. It’s a feeling of self love. No matter what happens, even if your already independent or you already have everything, the riches people are the people who have complete love within the family. Family day 2020, love, acceptance and unity.

Perse x Forti will always be the best. (U cant find me in this pic cause Im too short)

CAT Camping 2020 ; Ang pinakauna at ang huli

          Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito pala ka hirap ang mararanasan naming lahat. Akala ko na kagaya ito sa Istart na parang pwede lang gumamit ng stove at pwede lang makihiram ng mga bagay sa ibang grupo. Ang CAT Camping ay pagkakataon na ipapakita ang iyong magagawa kapag ikaw ay nasa probinsya kagaya ng haling. Sa mga laro naman ay parang hindi naman para sa “survival” na pang-araw-araw mo yan gagawin ngunit and mga ito ay tumutulong sa pagtayo ng lakas at tiwala sa iyong platoon. Sa totoo lang, panghabang buhay ang memorya na ito, higit pa sa echo dahil sila ang bumubuo sa 4th year ko. "I never thought we would fight this far, lets fight for the first and last time". Ito ang pinakaunang CAT camping ko, ito rin ang pinakahuli. Echo parin kahit anong mangyayari.

E. C . H .O. She build up the whole Echo and we completed it as a team. // Photo by Julve, Emmy

Powerpuff girls. Even though I didn't expect the three of us hanging, they still made every duty, activities, for short Echo extra special. Char // Photo by Julve, Emmy

Hindi natin alam kung ano talaga ang pagsubok natin sa buhay. Hindi natin alam kung saan talaga tayo magsisimula sa ating buhay kung saan tayo lumalaki. Sa lahat ng bagay ginagwa natin ay dapat alam mo kung ano ang ginagawa mo dahil sa isang palpak lahat nawasak. Nasasabi ko iyan dahil ang buhay ay parang naglalaro sa lahat nga mga labanan nung CAT Camping dahil kapag mali ang “strategy” na ginagamit mo ay hindi kayo mananalo. Sa lahat ng mga ginagawa namin alam ko na ang importante ay hindi matapos kaagad ngunit magkaroon ng oras para sa mga pagsubok."Echo is the best the best among the rest so what you gonna do is dance the boogaloo". Kahit na kami ay napakapagod na, ginagawa parin namin ang lahat upang magkaroon ng mga memorya na hindi na maari maibabalik. Kahit hindi kami ang panalo, para sa amin, palagi kami nananalo.

Even if  we already have white hair... because of the flour, we still carry on and work as a team. Strive no Matter what // Photo by Julve, Emmy

Bird Box at ACT. Build trust in order to adapt.

Maaari mo pala malilimutan ang iyong mga problema kapag napapalibutan ka sa mga taong makabuo sa iyo. Ang echo ay bumubuo sakin sa pamamagitan na may tiwala sila sa akin kahit na isa din akong miyembro. Hindi naman nasusukatan ang pagiging lider kung ano ka sa isang platoon dahil alam ko may personalidad ako na pwede magiging lider. “A person can be so many thigs but they can’t be like you. Be your own guide, be a leader”. Nakita ko rin yan sa ibang tao na kapag sa pag-aaral hindi sila gaano maayos ang kanilang “performance” pero daghil sa camp lumalabas ang totoong kulay nila. Ang “pin” na premyo o gatimpala ay hindi nakikita kung ano talaga ang kaya sa isang tao. Hindi ko naman masasabi na ang mga taong nakukuha ng mga ito ay karapat-dapat dahil may iba hindi naman gumagawa ng sobra pero may nahuhang gatimpala. “An award doesn’t sum up who you are, it’n not an award if you know you didn’t work hard for it”. Natutunan ko na napaka importante sa pamilya dahil mahirap mabuhay kapag magiisa ka lang. “Its hard to be independent if you cant handle the feeling of being alone”. Alam ko na hindi ako independent, hindi ko kaya lumalaban magiisa dahil nakakamalay ang lahat kong ginagawa. Pareho lang ang aking nararamdaman sa camping dahil ang echo ay parang pamilya ko. Hindi mo kailangan sundin ang “schedule” kung sino ang “after care”, magluto at paghugas dahil kapag may “teamwork” masmabilis matapos ang lahat.

ECHO PRIDE. We will still strive. Btw I look cute here hehe // Photo by Julve, Emmy

In the end, we'll just miss the feeling. // Photo by Julve, Emmy

Sa huli, hindi ko na mababalik ang lahat naming nadaanan pero marami naman ang aming natutunan. Sa lahat ng mga pagsubok, sulit parin dahil kasama ko ang aking platoon. Hindi habang buhay may kasama tayo kaya dapat alam natin mag "adapt" sa  piligid natin. "In the end we'll still be alone, we'll grow individually, we'll be strong"