Batanes: The Unbothered Queen of the North

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Batanes as your post-pandemic getaway?

Why not?! But minimize tourist visits please so we could keep it just as pristine as it is. From Basco, to Sabtang, then Itbayat, or the other uninhabited islands, you'll surely find beauty among it's land and sea scapes.

Who told you that a place isolated from modernity would be at a disadvantaged?

Batanes is the jewel of the north and the country’s northernmost province remaining undisturbed by the threat of the coronavirus disease.

People of Batanes continue with their normal daily life. It remains to be the only province in the country without Covid-19 infections, according to a data analyst.

The province’s far-flung location played a part in preventing the entry of the virus.

One possible reasons why Batanes remains to be COVID-19 free is their collectivism aside from it’s geographical advantage. It’s one of the places in the country worth visiting once this pandemic ends.

The Batanes provincial government has also set up an organic farm, at the famous Naidi Hills of Basco, to strengthen food sufficiency in the province using a “time-honored farming system of the Ivatan People.”

The farm was launched in 2018 as part of the "Sustainable Food Sufficiency" program in the province and to show new agricultural technologies fitted for its land and climate to Batanes residents.

Imagine doing your passion in the one of the most beautiful place in the country.

Batanes governor Marilou Cayco must be very proud. I would be because there is so much awe-inspiring "picturesque" sceneries here.

Federalism will be good if the leaders are like the LGU of Batanes. Kaso need pa natin linisin ang ibang LGUs like prohibiting political dynasties and removing some redudant elective posts. Or LGUs under mayor Isko of Manila (but not so sure if he is trapo waiting to finally reveal his true self), mayor Vico of Pasig, as well as with other great leaders out there. Ang ganda siguro ng Pilipinas if mga maaayos at karapatdapat na tao yung mga nasa puwesto.

That will probably take a lifetime or two hundred before it happens.

Lockdowns were also implemented early and the LGU monitored the outbreak in China to prevent the virus from entering Batanes.

The provincial government said that early closure and monitoring of its borders are the keys to successfully keep the deadly virus at bay.

Batanes governor says province continues to accept locally stranded individuals: But we strictly implement quarantine, closely monitored by frontliners and men in uniform.

For now Batanes should refrain from receiving tourist. More so- implement strict quarantine & testing of people who are part of the Balik Probinsiya program!

If government listened to our clamor in imposing travel ban early on, we shouldn't be into this mess. We should be living our lives like Batanes. Now we're suffering and will continue to suffer because Duterte's priority is clearly NOT the welfare of Filipino citizens but Chinese feelings.

Batanes is such a majestic place to visit. From it's people, cultures and sceneries. This place is the safest, cleanest and most disciplined. I hope Covid-19 will not conquer this tiny and peaceful island.

For now, let's just admire it from afar. Keep Batanes Covid-free please.

I'll be sure to visit again, but not during peak seasons when tourists are too much.

I've heard that wokes are planning to move to Batanes now? Please don't infect the peaceful island with your toxicity.

📷 Opal Bala

Why Am I Sort of Homophobic?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Bata pa lang ako ay ang dami ko na naranasan na pangbubully.

Elementary days, madalas akong tawaging "bakla" dahil majority kasi ng mga kaibigan ko noon mga babae. Malamya daw ako kumilos na Parang Hindi makabasag-pinggan. Mga classmates ko kasing lalaki karamihan ay puro takbuhan kapag recess at Kung ano-ano ginagawa kapag walang teacher. One time may isang classmate nga ako na pilit akong pinapaamin na bakla ako. Nung pumalag ako ay binuhusan ako ng tubig sa aking short. Para tuloy akong naihi sa uniform. Pinagtawanan nila ko ng todo-todo. Hindi naman ako makapagsumbong sa aking teacher dahil baka lalo akong pag-initan ng kaklase ko.

High school days, because I was studying in a Catholic School managed by the church, nag join ako sa Youth Marian Crusade, tapos sumali rin bilang school newspaper artist dahil hilig kong mag-drawing at mag join ng competitions. Still, "bakla" pa rin tukso sa akin. Kahit noong sumali ako na mag-aral ng Taekwondo, hinahamon pa rin ako ng away ng ibang classmates ko. Pilit nila pinapatunayan na "bakla" daw ako. Mas malaki yung kumalaban sa akin at ayoko namang manakit, kaya ayun inumpog ako sa gate na bakal ng pagkalakas-lakas. Wala akong nagawa kundi lumayo na lang habang inaawat na siya ng ibang estudyante. Ang laki ng bukol ko noon  pero hindi ako nagsumbong sa aking magulang at pumasok pa rin ako kinabukasan. Parang wala namang pakiramdam mga teachers namin noon.

Nung college days medyo naiba na. Natuto na akong maglamyerda. Madalas sa Makati doon sa Glorietta at Greenbelt. Madalas kong puntahan ay mga bookstores at yung mga branches ng Book Sale para maghanap ng mga second-hand magazines at books about pop culture -comics ng Marvel, DC, graphics novels ng Doctor Who, mga magazines about similar topics. Ang kaibahan ngayon ay may mga bakla na lumalapit sa akin. Minsan nasa SM ako, may lumapit na bakla at nagpakilala... Maya-maya ay nagyaya sa akin na manood ng sine tapos kain daw kami sa restaurant after. Nagmamadali akong tumanggi at umalis. Another instance, nasa Robinson's Galleria ako at nanood ng sine mag-isa ay may lumapit na bakla at umupo sa tabi ko. Hinawakan ba naman ang hita ko at niyayaya akong pumunta ng CR. Lumipat ako ng upuan pero sumunod pa rin siya. Kaya napilitan akong hindi na tapusin ang movie at lumabas na ko ng sinehan...pero dahil naiihi ako ay dumaan muna ko sa CR. Habang umiihi ay napalingon ako sa akin likuran dahil naroon pala yung bakla. Hinawakan ako sa balikat at pilit akong ipinapasok.sa cubicle. Pumalag at tumakbo na ako palabas ng sinehan dahil sa takot. Hindi naman ako makapagsumbong dahil Wala naman akong nadaanang security guards

At dahil working student, first as Student Assistant sa Mapua during enrollment period then as service crew for fastfood chains (Tropical Hut, then Jollibee, then Pizza Hut palipat-lipat dahil hindi sila nag reregular ever since), nakakatulog na nga ako sa class dahil from afternoon to early morning (madaling araw at 1am) ang shift ko and have to wake up early to go to school. Sa jeepney naman ako naiidlip. Minsan nga hindi ko namalayan na natangay na pala yung singsing at kuwintas kong binigay sa akin. One time dahil sa antok, nakatulog ako sa quarters namin sa Jollibee, nagising na lang ako bigla na may nakadagan sa akin. Siya yung baklang team leader na mahilig manantsing. Pilit Niya kinukoskos Ang kanyang ari sa ari ko. Sinumbong ko yun sa management pero pinagtawanan lang ako na parang maliit na bagay lang yung ginawa sa akin.

When society accepted gays and many of them were now openly coming out of the closet to reveal their true inclinations as a third sex, I have to admit I got worried. Dumadami na kasi sila on national television, social media, creative industries, etc. na parang naging normal na yung maging bakla when it was considered before as a mental problem. Society has shifted it's perception of them and normalized them as part of society.

Kaya siguro may pagka homophobic ako ngayon dahil sa mga experience ko sa mga bakla noon. Pilit ko namang kinakalimutan ang mga pinagdaanan ko pero my subconscious is probably the one that is dictating never to trust gays.

I can accept them for what they are but they should not demand for special treatment. They should not demand for gay marriage. They should not demand to use the ladies restroom. They should not demand for any special perks or privileges.

Not all gays are bad, but majority are abusive and disrespectful.

#SetPHNursesFree: Why Keep Nurses in the Philippines Against Their Will?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"We are all hurting. This ban really breaks our hearts everyday. Please help us get through this. #SetPHNursesFree"

They never thought that they will do this again for the nth time! Still, the nurses are resilient. They will not yield!

The government imposed the deployment ban because they want to keep nurses as reserve for the Philippines. They are not disposable goods! They are humans and have families to feed.

Use the hashtag to voice out your dissent towards the Deployment Ban which our government keeps on imposing!

Around 1k nurses with existing contracts overseas are affected by the deployment ban. But, the impact is even bigger. Each nurse represents a family of at least 4, some even more. Imagine how many lives are at stake just because they are "hostaged".

So why is the government taking away their right for a livelihood? How can they make themselves productive if there are no more job vacancies here? How the hell can they earn money for their families if they cannot be deployed abroad?

The employers will not wait for these nurses. They are starting to hire nurses from somewhere else.

Forcing someone to do what you want will only make them do the other way. Banning nurses and forcing them to work back in the hospital where they are underpaid and maltreated is somehow a weak plan as I see it. Sorry, I just cant accept that our government is being ruthless.

Forced servitude tawag diyan. You think experienced nurses will still opt to apply after you've stolen their dreams for a better future? Common sense....ay wala nga pala ang gobyerno nyan.

They'll never forget how this administration treated them like slaves. Their basic human rights and liberties are being stripped more and more in this country.

Triggered sa mga nagsasabi ng “SERVE  YOUR COUNTRY FIRST”

With all due respect, these people will NOT aspire or dream of going to greener pastures in the expense of being away from their loved ones if they saw something to be proud of in this country.

The government doesn't know the true meaning of "charity begins at home". Just look at the state of nurses in the country.

Does the government find pleasure in seeing their healthcare workers, who have already served their country well for many years, suffer?  Yung totoo? If this pandemic never happened, they will not be in your radar! REAL TALK lang.

"WE HAVE SACRIFICED ENOUGH.
The years of service despite the minimal salary that we receive, the discrimination, the countless times we try to negotiate diplomatically about the salary we deserve. And a lot more hurdles in this profession."

"We spent months reviewing for the English exam and exhausted hundred thousands of our savings to retake it and to apply for a registration abroad. These exams have expiration dates and some of us might need to go back to square one, putting all our sacrifices and efforts to waste."

"We patiently waited for months for this ban to be lifted. We try to understand the situation of our country. Aside from having no choice, AGAIN, we put the needs of others first before our own.
Last June, they told us that there are exemptions in the ban."

"They allowed those who already signed their job offer letters and contracts to leave the country. But, yesterday, they revoked their previous statements allowing all the 600+ nurses who are about to be deployed to be in so much agony and pain."

"We are almost at the finish line. We are almost there. Why do they always make it hard for us? We just want a better life for our families. We are doing this for them. Can the government secure us with a better life here? NO!"

To IATF, alamin nyo muna ang sitwasyon bago kayo maglabas ng resolution.

What's the point of the deployment ban? It is clearly shown in this picture that you don't need the nurses anymore.