Would You Rather: Hot or Cold?

Happy June first, my dear friends.

June is always abuzz that is a start of a lot of things to Filipinos, especially Metro Manilans. School, traffic, and well, rainy season. Remember that scene in my beloved Calumpit Bulacan-where residents waded in knee-deep water for weeks? God forbid it will not happen again.

The title, this looks like a pretty innocent question. Did you ever ask yourself which you prefer, hot or cold? May be inane, as in not much of a debate material. But it seems that people have very strong opinions when it comes to this all-important question -- opinions that are right up their with their plans for world peace and their thoughts on the Vice Ganda- Jessica Soho ongoing issue on comedy bar jokes.

Below, the poster that plot down the plus and minus of our wet and dry weather.



I like hot weather better. Do you know that I get a bit sentimental when it rains?

The bottom line: it’s all a matter of taste. Some people like R&B, I loathe it. Some people like heavy metal songs and I would rather stick my head into a grinder.

Ultimately we do not question each other’s preferences.

Its A Choice

Sometimes I stand on the street, look around at all the people, and wonder which of them are gays, lesbians, or transgenders.

Maybe quite a few, filled with the terror and angst it takes to hide their true selves so that others won't find out. It'd be so, so hard. I can't imagine. And may be some others so okay with it they flaunt it in their neon green nails, studded shirt and spiky hairs.

I don't know so many things. But I am big on social justice, equality, fairness and right to express self as it pertains to identity and mental health. But sometimes all ours kids ever get told is“no” and “you can not do that” and “behave". That thing you do with words is outstanding. Only twenty-six letters in the alphabet and you arrange them just so.

Hubs and I have been parenting our children for nine years, now. It's a privilege, it's wonderful, it's frustrating, disappointing, tiring. I've learnt a lot about parenting, mostly through trial and error. We muddle through, think that it will get easier as they get older. I'm starting to realize it's harder.

And like me, millions of parents watch their kids every day. But I'm not millions. I'm one. And my son, he's all mine and the way the tendrils curl around his ears when his hair gets too long is so gorgeous that I want to punch something. What is that?

Thing is, I do not want any of my children to know life harder than it already is. So I pray that they will live straight lives, make straight choices. And hopefully make them realize the impact of their choices.

I hope to explain them the difference between gays, lesbians and transgenders like one day I will tell them the differences between sex and drugs, God and the devil and love and fear.

::

What do you think of Charice's transformation?

"For me, just love me. I am a person. If you think I am boy or a  girl
or if I look like a boy, then fine. I am Charice. I know what people think, I don't care
This is the look I want. The only thing that you can do is move on."

Halfway Done, Halfway To Go

Hi dear readers! Its barely two weeks and its June. Sweet for the marrying couples but soury for the-still-on-vacation-mode students. I like June for so many reasons, aside it being my birth month, it’s a month on the calendar that says we’re half-way done and another half to go. Oh my, how time flies. Isang kembot lang pasko na naman...

And what is the month of June known for?

Wedding ceremonies. And they are such sweet events. However mine is nerve-wrecking though. I was crying a lot because of stresses and worries. But looking back, it was all worth it. I have two beautiful mix-martial-arts-wrestlers-turned-fighting ninjas children. Sweet!

And in celebration of this coming month is this Tokyo wedding post. Let's look at the bride's beautiful transformation...

She saw her groom..

And freaked out little kids

And after ward they took the subway home







::

Incredible, isn’t it?

Now It’s the Ladies Time to Shine

Now the Philippines has voted. Apparently, the real winners of the 2013 senatorial election must be fans of Da King. Grace Poe is well on her way to becoming one of our senators. Currently on the top spot, her adoptive parents’ name helped people remember her. Now I can hear FPJ cackling in the background.

Truth to be told, I did vote for her. You see, I always like fresh start. I can see the sincerity and her pureness of intention. Now I’d like to see her make good on the senate floor.



However we have to keep exciting now that Madam Miriam Defensor-Santiago is making an exit. So I hope the new comers will be as splendid, and funny, and comical, and crazy as she was.

So what are we looking for this season? Who could possibly replace her?

First was Loren Legarda. She can’t pass for a comedian. She’s too demure, she reminded me of a Muslim princess. However her SALN’s issues are still bones inside the closet. She may always get to the top, wherever she wants to be. However, lying her way to get there will be dangerous because she will be easily get toppled when she’s precariously at the top. Please remember that Loren Legarda judged Renato Corona based on Renato’s lying offense.

Second was Nancy Binay. Her Nanay appeal, would certainly take her to places she’s never been before. Really, its so much easier to read the list of her achievements because face it, it’s kind exhausting reading the laws that Teddy Casino co-authored. A blank white page is more soothing to the eyes. Also I hope she push for the legislation of The Birthday Cake Act.

Third would be Cynthia Villar. It’s kinda hard to like this lady despite her years in the congress. She is not even funny. She looked like my Lola who never learned to crack a good joke. Seriously, she got some shady things under her belt. I don’t know. What I know is a guarantee that we’ll have another Villar to replace the departing Villar.

Sigh.

Certainly non big winners are Mitos Magsaysay, Risa Hontiveros and Jamby Madrigal.

Mitos wasn’t appealing to the masses and I can pin the blame on her strange remark. Yes, she’s the lady who said “Hinde mo pwedeng paghiwalayin ang simbahan at pamahalaan sapagkat ako po ay pinanganak na Katoliko”. I still don’t see the logic of that statement.

Poor Risa, I don’t know if she’ll continue her debate with the still baffled Nancy. She almost won three years ago and I thought she would win this year. But then there will always be next time.

And former presidentiable Jamby, may be she can consider changing career path. I don’t mean that she should go for an even lower position. I mean stop.

And of course, we’ve got a package delivered to us perfectly wrapped with a yellow ribbon. Come 2016, we’ll have Kris Aquino running for congress. I don’t really have a problem Kris trying to divine the spirit of her parents, but are we nearing kingdom come yet? there seems to be no end to this Yellow Fever. If Kris will be the President, I hope I’ll be dead by then.

I’ll make sure of it.

Happy Mother's Day Mother!

Mother's Day is just three days away, so I'd love to ask: What has your mom taught you?

My mother is quite the pistol. She’ll curse at a bit of disappointment. But whether she is in the hospital for mastectomy or how her crazy moods cracked us all up, she’s an endless fount of wisdom. What I neglect to mention on here though is that my mother is the kindest, most loving person that you will ever meet. She has more kumares, kumpares, inaanak sa kasal at binyag than I do when she was my age. She can eat at our neighbor’s house, play with their kids and spent all afternoon chatting with her friends. She does not know Facebook, but has more friends than I am.

Also she teaches life’s great lessons until now I cannot forget.

1. What she taught me about personal spaces and time.

Respect the one sleeping. Exit out very carefully
if you still want to live one more day

2. What she taught me about pets

Not all pets are cute

3. What she taught me about spending

Check the tags first 

4. That you'd be disappointed but it's okay

So, I'm curious: What has your mom taught you? How to choose a lipstick? How to roast a chicken? How to ask for a raise? How to be a kind person? I'd love to hear their words of wisdom...

BIPOLAR

Talking about mental illness is a slippery eel. If one went to hospital almost because of a broken leg? Completely legit. But if one went to hospital for a broken mind? A shame for life. A stigma you can never redo.

Thing is, they're mostly just like you and me. Mostly just doing their best. You would never guess if you walked past them in the street. Or see them on TV. Sometimes we were probably too busy thinking about basic things like food and water and shelter and forget about other basic stuff like the monsters in our mind.

Everybody experiences mood shifts in daily life, but with bipolar disorder these changes are extreme. A person may be quite unaware of these changes in their attitude or behavior. After a manic phase is over, they may be quite shocked at what they've done and the effect that it has had.

Inside a bipolar mind, the streets are crazy, no traffic lights. Things just zoom around and get away with it.

Like monstrous waves crashing on sharp rocks.

And these are feelings these people must be feeling right now.

Catherine Zeta-Jones checked into facility for Bipolar care

20-year old Demi Lovato had series of rehabs for substance abuse disorder, bulimia and bipolar..

Isabella Gonzales (daughter of Kuh Ledesma):

"I'm not ashamed to admit it. I was diagnosed at 17. It's genetic since I have it on my dad's side"

 

The two psychologists I flew with to Cebu confirmed that the popular young star currently in a family war is indeed a patient. Of a psych ward. Currently undergoing therapy for Bipolar II.