9 1/2 hours of Rain, Flood, and Uncertainty

I hope that I’ll be allowed to go tomorrow.

kung hindi, ewan ko na lang. 

UE = Uy Evacuate!
NU = Nako Umulan!
UST = Uy Stranded Tayo!
DLSU = Di Lang Sa Uste!
ADMU = Ay Damn, Maski Us?
UP = Umapaw Potek!
CSB = Chong San Banda?
SBC = Sa Bewang Chong!
FEU = Fuck Etong Ulan!
LPU = Lubog Pati Us!
CEU = Crap, Evacuation Ulit?
UBELT = Umuulan, Binabaha. Exasperating Langoy na Tayo!
UPHSD = Ubos muna Paninda Ha bago Suspend.
PLM = Please Lang Maawa!
PNU = Panu Na Umuulan!
TUP = Tsk Underwater POTEK!
MIT = Magsipasok! Intindihin ang Thesis!
PLM = Patay, Lumubog ang Maynila!
PLM = Pano Lulusong Man?
MCL = Maski Cars Lubog!

ADU = PROUD TO BE FALCON!!! :))))

— That’s the spirit! ;)

Paphiopedilum fowliei is an orchid endemic to the tropical moist lowland forests of Palawan. The orchid is critically endangered, primarily because of habitat degradation and over-collection of plant enthusiasts. 

The Philippine flag.

What a nightmare last Thursday night was. Short version, due to tropical storm “Falcon”, we got stuck in traffic for almost three hours, got stranded in UST parking for another three hours, then drove through rain, wind, and flood back to the province where there’s also rain, wind, and flood until now. Still home is home. Family is family. There’s no place I’d rather be. 9 and a half hours of waiting, thinking, planning, taking risks and chances for safety and comfort. (Hey, like almost all Filipinos most especially Manila people, my sisters and I do have the Ondoy tragedy embedded in our collective psyche so it’s really really scary to have another one.) 

Just imagine, we started from 7pm and we officially arrived home at 3:45 am. I’ll tell the whole story in detail for some other time. Right now I’m just happy to be home where it’s safe, warm, and comfortable. 

I’ll let the pictures do the talking for now. Keep safe everyone! 

HALF-BLIND. Strangers Project (2011)

untitled on Flickr.

FETE DELA MUSIQUE CEBU 2011

The Terraces, Ayala Center

Pagbigyan nyo ako magpost ng picture. Pasukan na bukas eh. That was captured during our fieldtrip, isa yang wildriver sa bundok malapit sa Mt. Apo, Highest Mountain in the Philippines. Napakalamig jan, nahulog pa jan tsinelas ni Artsie. HAHAHA. gusto kong bumalik don. Nakakamiss lungs. K. No1curr.

Happy Independence Day!

June 12, 2011 - Philippines’ Independence Day

To be called “mister” when you want to be called “miss”.

To be forced to go to the men’s washroom when you know you are not a man.

To be denied proper healthcare, police assistance, or employment because people misunderstand and judge your identity as a woman…

To wake up everyday and feel disgusted by your own body, feeling trapped in a biological cage and bullied by a society that will not accept abberations from the “norm”.

I wish I could give each and every transgendered individual a hug. I have huge respect for you. Because you experience the most discrimination, your fight against hate and bigotry is what fuels the LGBT agenda in the Philippines — in fact, anywhere in the world! I admit that I have to listen to more of what you have to say in order to understand you more, and in turn to make others outside of the LGBTQIAAetcetc community see how beautiful you really are.

You are a beautiful Transpinay, a woman of no equal. Don’t let anyone else say otherwise.

the green lake.

I went there last May. I thought I’d share these with you guys. Some shots are really ugly, so...

HALF-BLIND. Strangers Project (2011)