#ph stuff

Here's it's symbolism, and these are lovely, but also most of these are updated. The use of blue, white, and red, was originally just to pattern it after the United States, because the Philippines was inspired by their revolution, and also got free of Spanish Colonialism due to American Colonialism. Anyway, the new color symbolism is important, because the red side goes up during times of war, which is neat, and unique to the Philippine flag. It's supposed to represent having to put bravery over peace.

Ignorance has always run deep in this country, but it has never been more evident than it is now. Duterte’s language towards journalists have already sparked doubt and mistrust among people and could very soon end up inciting the death of journalism. In his usual blunt, though albeit twisted way, Duterte managed to turn journalism from a stage for progression to a possible tool for corruption; and while it’s true that journalism isn’t free from his accusations, corruption is not rooted in the profession itself. Corruption has always stemmed from power-hungry individuals who can twist people’s judgement as easily as they can twist a bottle cap and a greed-driven system, but journalism has never been and will never be that. Because if anything, journalism has always been a catalyst for justice and for truth. Journalism has always been the nation’s voice. Journalism, though it has been driven to a slightly misguided path during recent years, has always stood for the people. And it always will.

Ilan pa ba?

Ilan pang buhay ang dapat na masawi? Ilan pang mga pamilya ang iiyak? Ilang puso pa ang mabibiyak? Para saan? Sa isang bintang. Sa isang bintang na mananatiling bintang. Isang paghihinalang kumikitil sa madla, at para pang sakit na kumakalat. Sa ideya pa lamang nito hindi ko masikmura na marami ang naniniwalang epektibo ito.

“Mapapalaganap nito ang kapayapaan!”, sabi nila.

“Para mapuksa ang masama!”, sabi nila.

Ngunit kung mapayapa nga ito– kung makabubuti nga ito sa ating lahat, Bakit may nananaig na takot sa dibdib? Bakit tila hindi naman ramdam ang kapayapaan, o ang kabutihan?

Ano pa ba?

Ano pa nga ba ang tama at mali? Ano pa nga ba ang masama at mabuti kung ang tama ay mali at ang mali ay tama? Ano pa nga ba ang katotohanan kung sa pagduro ng daliri, pagsigaw ng kasinungalingan at pag-uto sa sarili na nasa isang karton— na pinaglilimbagan ng paratang gamit ang tintang sing itim ng budhi— ang dapat na paniwalaan? Ano pa nga ba ang pag-asa? Mayroon pa ba? Pagkat kung ang batas na ay ang bala, silbi ng bawat buhay ay wala na.

“Mangyayari ba ‘yan sa akin, paki ko ba?”

Maari.

Posible.

Laging may tsansa.

Basta’t may magbibintang at mauuto,

mangyayari.

—

My experience was not so fun. I wasn’t able to fulfill what I initially planned: start at the municipal hall and go around the town. I rode a jeepney and I had to take several deep breaths before actually doing it. After a single walk along Lopez Ave., I stopped and had to put the sign back to my bag.

Why?

I was in a state of panic (and maybe because of that, my sweat drenched and my skin didn't cooperate and it itched af). I thought I was brave enough. I feel ashamed instead of accomplished for backing out 15mins later just because my anxiety kicked in and I couldn’t fight it even if I read Po-on while walking.

But I got the attention, alright.

Through parallel vision, I saw this one guy who actually tried to see what’s on my sign. Several others would stop their chattering as they passed by me. A guard from my former school even joked, “Dapat pala pinicturan kita!” and told my friends that I did protest.

That 15-minute walk was surely unforgettable. I hope I could do it again, but surely not alone, or I might just breakdown in the middle of it.

I also hope many others would participate. I hope many teenagers like me do it better than I did.

Padayon lang, mga kapatid! Walang mithiing mananatiling imposible kung kikilos ang marami!

I'm sorry... I'm probably appearing to be super bitchy and kinda foolish and I’m not really sure if it's a meme or an inside joke that I seem to be missing (and if it is it is a very cruel joke) but...

I feel really iffy about this Maine Mendoza "Most Beautiful Woman" thing? And the comments about it? Because honestly I just find it so wonderful that people find her beautiful??

Because it's so rare for somebody to find a Southeast Asian girl beautiful?

I don't mean to offend anybody with this post. We're all gorgeous in our own ways. But... the global standard of beauty has no room for anything not modeled after the Western standard for beauty, you know? It's very rare for a fanbase to find a morena, southeast asian girl with thick lips and a round face, beautiful? It's very rare for somebody who "doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold" to be so famous and in such a position of influence?

Do you know what this must mean to the little ones who look up to her because she looks like them? We must be breaking their hearts the poor little things.

Look. I really don't mean to offend. This is just a thought. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course.

It's just that sometimes, we get carried away a little, yeah? We really must think before we speak... or meme, for that matter.

(Also guys, c’mon. I know this is a joke to some of you but it’s getting to be really cruel. She’s a person too, you know? Be mindful.)