tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200937127628253862024-03-13T23:48:58.091-07:00The Rainbow Blog PhilippinesOne-stop shop for Filipino LGBTYffar (^^,)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02254316148983198508noreply@blogger.comBlogger356125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-90924302414480277922012-11-13T00:21:00.000-08:002012-11-13T00:21:04.396-08:00MAKATI S.E.B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTTouLpTo35XTPiGPr9D-qy43k4aqgdYNL5I72hfu_XOlr-R8lzM8iwsDmCIoaz72W6_KPC95v2IZz5pkRkkQBYwTnBOOv9guMTDJ6F5w6itG9rxzMW5Zs6PODsjMK8_W4s9Z3C2Eo8M/s1600/MakatiSEB-HiRes-RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTTouLpTo35XTPiGPr9D-qy43k4aqgdYNL5I72hfu_XOlr-R8lzM8iwsDmCIoaz72W6_KPC95v2IZz5pkRkkQBYwTnBOOv9guMTDJ6F5w6itG9rxzMW5Zs6PODsjMK8_W4s9Z3C2Eo8M/s640/MakatiSEB-HiRes-RGB.jpg" width="453" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Know your status and be worry-free. Come to the Medicard Lifestyle Center (Buendia corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City) on Nov. 23, 2012, between 5 PM and 2 AM, and have your HIV screening test, with bonus tests for Hepatitis B and Syphilis – all for free. Your information shall be handled with utmost care and confidentiality. For pre-registration, go to </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/makatiSEB" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/makatiSEB</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">.</span></div>
<br />positHIVehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948930895474196804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-1964330336417292622011-12-21T15:48:00.000-08:002011-12-21T15:51:51.158-08:00When Boy meets Boy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh281i3RDqFPJnEh-Q3PxuE6rzeZ19-QNTXPZto3za3R5Zk1mwPwo8yvm51Cfwv6tncgQmw3817DTVbOEo-NqzsPXkMF2rw11bXQd_OMpvOZYSI26CqwGhyphenhyphenaLCy9Tj97M-__-xKMJyIllc/s1600/pic1+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh281i3RDqFPJnEh-Q3PxuE6rzeZ19-QNTXPZto3za3R5Zk1mwPwo8yvm51Cfwv6tncgQmw3817DTVbOEo-NqzsPXkMF2rw11bXQd_OMpvOZYSI26CqwGhyphenhyphenaLCy9Tj97M-__-xKMJyIllc/s400/pic1+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688732814192052498" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote>When Boy meets Boy is a story about ADAM, an ordinary Filipino gay guy with an extraordinary story.<br /><br />He made girls, boys and those in between swoon when he gave us a glimpse of the ups and downs of his love (and) life.<br /><br />He knew exactly how it felt to be a young gay guy in love, and we found ourselves laughing along with him or silently weeping in shared sadness.<br /><br />Adam proved that love knows no gender nor preference. When it hits you, you can't help but fall hard.</blockquote><br /><br /><center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZOge1c49tqY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><b>whenboymeetsboy.blogspot.com</b></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-85702897960419759232011-11-30T08:07:00.000-08:002011-12-06T01:44:34.706-08:00HIV infections rising fast among men ages 20-29<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><br />
Faces of HIV</b><br />
<br />
It was the year 1984 when Filipinos were first confronted with HIV-AIDS as a public health issue. Dolzura Cortez was the first to come out publicly to say that she had AIDS. <br />
<br />
In 1991, the young Sarah Jane Salazar followed suit and travelled the country to tell her story. <br />
<br />
Their life stories were even made into movies portrayed by show biz stars. <br />
<br />
But when they died, HIV and AIDS temporarily lost a public face, until 2009 when Wanggo Gallaga, the son of movie director Peque Gallaga, came out and admitted he had HIV. <br />
<br />
Cortez, Salazar, Gallaga and now Gorriceta have hoped that with their daring, Filipinos will have a better understanding of the disease and that its rapid spread can be stopped. <br />
<br />
<b>HIV rising among males age 20-29 </b><br />
<br />
The latest data from the Department of Health, however, shows the contrary. <br />
<br />
To date, there are five to six new HIV cases reported daily to the DOH AIDS Registry. This is a significant increase from an average of one case a day in 2006.<br />
<br />
From 1984 till April 2011, a total of 6,669 cases have been reported. This is on top of the 12,000 estimated unreported cases, according to the DOH.<br />
<br />
For the month of April alone, 171 cases were reported, an 11 percent increase compared to the same period last year. And of these new cases, three were reported as AIDS patients. <br />
<br />
AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 cell (the cell in the body’s immune system) count goes below 200. <br />
<br />
Most of the cases were males, ages ranging from 17 to 60 years old. The 20-29 age-group had the most number of cases. <br />
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<br />
<br />
<center><div style="background-color: #020000; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 13px; margin: 5px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; width: 500px;"><img src="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/webpics/infotech/aidsamongmalesdelfin.jpg" style="display: inline;" width="100%" /><br />
<div style="margin: 3px 3px 3px 5px;"><span style="color: white;">Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry. <b>National Epidemiology Center-DOH</b></span></div></div></center><br />
The most reported mode of transmission was sexual contact. And like in the case of Gorriceta, males having sex with other males was the main type of sexual transmission. <br />
<br />
This type of transmission has far surpassed the number of cases of overseas Filipino workers or OFWs infected with the virus. Only six percent or 11 of the reported cases in April were OFWs. <br />
<br />
Recent data have also shown a rapid expansion of HIV infection among people who inject drugs. Other modes of transmission include mother-to-child transmission, blood transfusion, and needle prick injuries. <br />
<br />
“With this situation, we can see that the HIV epidemic in the country is swelling," said Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag. <br />
<br />
<b>46,000 HIV infections by end of 2015</b><br />
<br />
In 33 countries, HIV incidence fell more than 25 percent between 2001 and 2009, according to the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2010. <br />
<br />
The report added that in seven countries, however, incidence increase was noted by more than 25 percent between 2001 and 2009. The Philippines is one of these seven countries. <br />
<br />
The same report also said that without immediate action, HIV cases in the country are estimated to reach 46,000 by the end of 2015 from 6,015 cases reported as of end of 2010. [<b>See related</b>: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/100days/story/221031/nation/hiv-aids-cases-in-phl-to-spike-five-fold-before-aquinos-term-ends-doh" target="_blank">HIV-AIDS cases in PHL to spike five-fold before Aquino's term ends — DOH</a>]<br />
<br />
But the Philippines actually did not lag in creating policies to address the rising HIV trend. The legal framework of the national AIDS response is Republic Act 8504 or “The Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control ACT of 1998."<br />
<br />
So where does the problem lie?<br />
<br />
As with many laws in the country, experts say, implementation is wanting.<br />
<br />
A briefer on the Philippine HIV and AIDS epidemic issued by the Philippine National Aids Council states: A large segment of society - both national and local agencies - are still largely unaware of the law’s existence or are unsure of how to operationalize the provisions of the law. As a result, the law is hardly enforced.<br />
<br />
<b>Discrimination by health care workers and family members</b><br />
<br />
R.A. 8504 is one of the world’s oldest laws on HIV and AIDS. It contains provisions seeking to protect people living with HIV from various forms of discrimination. <br />
<br />
But more than a decade after the AIDS law was passed, HIV-AIDS patients continue to report what they regard as violations of the anti-discrimination provisions. <br />
<br />
In 2010, Action for Health Initiatives (ACHIEVE), Inc., with support from Levi Strauss Foundation, conducted a study to assess the HIV-AIDS patients’ use of R.A. 8504.<br />
<br />
According to the study, HIV-AIDS patients generally describe discrimination as “panghuhusga," which is about making biased, unfair judgments about how one contracted the virus, often in relation to one’s sexual behavior or kind of work.<br />
<br />
Of the 103 valid respondents who have experienced discrimination, most of them (43.7%) said they have experienced discrimination at a health care facility, followed by discrimination at home (43.6%) with their family members as tormenters. Some also experienced discrimination in the workplace or in the community. <br />
<br />
Based on the ACHIEVE study, most people living with HIV-AIDS in the country are aware that there is a law that protects them. In its study, 78 percent of the respondents said they do, yet only three of them used the law to seek redress and only two sought redress through the courts. <br />
<br />
Most respondents cited fear of disclosure and further discrimination as the primary reasons for not seeking help. The lack of access to legal services, whether free or paid, is another. <br />
<br />
<b></b><b>Prolonging life with HIV</b><br />
<br />
Currently, there is still no cure for AIDS or HIV. Vaccine research continues. What are available are anti-retroviral drugs called as “maintenance cocktails" that keep the virus from expanding inside the human body. <br />
<br />
With these drugs and a healthy lifestyle, an HIV patient can prolong his or her life. Former basketball star Magic Johnson is perhaps the most famous example. Some have lived for as long as 20 to 30 years after being confirmed positive with the virus. <br />
<br />
In other words, HIV is no longer considered an instant death sentence. <br />
<br />
It is best to know of an HIV infection as early as possible so that treatment to prevent the virus from progressing can start. <br />
<br />
Some of the symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes and throat, rashes and mouth sores. <br />
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San Lazaro Hospital provides free HIV screening and confirmatory tests. Code numbers are used to hide identities. <br />
<br />
"No one is invincible and exempted from this virus," Assistant Secretary Tayag said as he urged Filipinos to undergo regular checkups.<br />
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He advised returning overseas Filipino workers to undergo HIV testing to ensure they did not contract the virus abroad. OFWs usually undergo HIV testing only when leaving the country because it is a pre-employment requirement.<br />
<br />
But as early as 2008, the United Nations in the Philippines had identified Millennium Development Goal number 6 (Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases) as among the MDGs least likely to be achieved by the country. <br />
<br />
“We have realized that the attainment of this goal is challenged by low levels of knowledge, low coverage of prevention services, prevailing risky practices, and the continuing stigma and discrimination associated with HIV," said Dr. Jacqueline Badcock, U.N. Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines during a candle-lighting ceremony at the DFA last May 25 in memory of those who have died of AIDS.</blockquote><br />
Source:<br />
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/223333/news/hiv-infections-rising-fast-among-men-ages-20-29<br />
<span id="fullpost"></span></div>Raffy Aquinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447103087267785766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-37551371932164763852011-11-26T20:06:00.000-08:002011-11-26T20:06:37.718-08:00"LOVE"... AN EXCLUSIVE NIGHT FOR WOMEN WHO LOVE WOMEN at CALLE SIROCCO RESTO LOUNGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLGropmTkDY/TtG2UkmXn4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/xSb0Tlhjvas/s1600/LOVE-FOURLEZ1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLGropmTkDY/TtG2UkmXn4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/xSb0Tlhjvas/s640/LOVE-FOURLEZ1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4 PARTY DETAILS TEXT:<br />
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</div>It has been ten years since the first RH Bill, and after countless debates and delays we are no closer to a vote. The democratic process has stalled at the hands of time-wasting legislators and bullying bishops.<br />
With mounting frustration we remind our public servants that for every day they delay the vote, Filipino families around the country lose their mothers. The time for delay is over. The time for a vote is now.<br />
Starting tomorrow, November 21, RH Advocates from various organizations will occupy the park across the South Wing Gate of Congress, and launch a massive and sustained campaign to remind our Senators and Members of Congress of the urgency to vote on the Reproductive Health Bill before the year ends.<br />
<br />
Pro-RH lawmakers, celebrities, artists, government officials, civil society and non-government groups, business, academe, youth, religious and non-religious sectors will show their support at this mass action, and advocates will camp out in front of the South Wing Gate for as long as it takes for their voices to be heard. <br />
We urge you to join us, tomorrow and onwards, and lend your voice to a movement that will save Filipino lives. Various activities will be held at the camp and at the South Wing Gate, such as a noise barrage, cultural and solidarity nights, pickets, creative and symbolic protests, actions that will make our legislators listen.<br />
For ten years we have been ignored, the cries of the People drowned out by the powerful few. But no more. Together we will stand, together we will shout, and together we will Occupy for RH till our legislators vote for RH now.<br />
<br />
<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZETvVSvRHhQ" width="560"></iframe></center>Raffy Aquinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447103087267785766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-68320052553220314952011-11-24T01:23:00.000-08:002011-11-24T01:23:29.461-08:00Are homosexuals really discriminated against? - CBCP<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being portrayed as oppressed is best way to public sympathy, homosexual activists told</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Source: cbcpforlife.com/?p=5005 <br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">MANILA, Nov. 23, 2011– Are homosexuals really discriminated against? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Whether or not the answer is yes, presenting themselves as victims of oppression is one of the steps in advancing homosexual rights, ultimately to include the recognition of such rights by the law, based on the presentation of Dr. Ligaya Anacta Acosta, regional director of Human Life International (HLI) Asia and Oceania.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
“Are they really oppressed? We see many gays in the media… in fact, they lord it over [in the industry] so how can they say that they are being oppressed?” Acosta asked a group of over 200 pro-life delegates.<br />
<br />
“But we have to understand that this is actually a Marxist mold to cast the homosexual revolution, which started as early as 1948,” she explained.<br />
<br />
A man named Harry Hay thought of the idea of a homosexual activist group, later formulating the principles that would give rise to the US-based group “Mattachine Society” as the first members would call it. The principles revolved around the concept “that homosexuals were a virtual minority oppressed by the dominant heterosexual majority, and that portraying them as oppressed is actually the key to selling the homosexual movement,” Acosta said.<br />
<br />
Since the current American president Barack Obama took office in 2009, the United States has made strides in the advancement of anti-life, anti-family legislation, including recognition of same-sex unions and discrimination against people who refuse to recognize such unions. Being true to the pro-abortion, pro-gay rights monicker given to him, the president has established an LGBT Month (LGBT stands for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders), appointed homosexuals as key officials in government, and carried out other measures that have ended up bestowing illegitimate rights on homosexual members of society.<br />
<br />
“Sasabihin siguro ng iba, sa US lang ‘yan,” said Acosta, who is privy to a wealth of information on the pro-”choice” movement owing to 20+ years’ involvement in it as a Department of Health (DoH) official.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
“Hindi lang po ‘yan sa US because the policies of the United States of America affect the whole world… It’s actually also part of population control. If they cannot force us to legalize abortion or massively use contraception, then [they] promote homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle. Start at kindergarten… and therefore we have to know what is the agenda.”<br />
<br />
Promotion of homosexuality in the RH bill“Not too many people know that the RH bill also encourages homosexuality,” Acosta remarked, then gave a rundown of the concerned provisions.<br />
<br />
Section 2, the Declaration of Policy, states that “The State recognizes and guarantees the exercise of universal basic human rights to reproductive health by all persons.”<br />
“And then it says, ‘There shall be no discrimination against any person on the grounds’ “among others” ‘…of sexual orientation.’ You have to understand the doublespeak here. And of course, it refers to homosexuality\,” she pointed out.<br />
<br />
“It also says here, ‘The State guarantee to eradicate discriminatory practices, laws and policies that infringe on the person’s exercise of reproductive health rights.’”<br />
<br />
Further, “gender equality” is defined in Section 4 (Definition of Terms) as “absence of discrimination, on the basis of a person’s sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.<br />
<br />
Though media mileage may give the impression that a significant number of Filipinos exhibit homosexual behavior, it is actually the systematic implementation of an agenda by a small number of people that gives the illusion of huge numbers.<br />
<br />
“I have to tell you that there is a huge homosexual network all over the world, and although constituting a minority only of less than 3% of the population, we have to know that the homosexual movement is highly organized and very well-financed,” Acosta pointed out.<br />
<br />
“And it is international in scope, which is why they have international associations. They are also very anti-Catholic… and so with various organizations they have been influencing media, education and even religion. Here in the Philippines, there is the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the work of which is to influence politics and legislation, to build a powerful political movement, and they are actually succeeding a little in that area,” she said.<br />
<br />
“The Human Rights Campaign is their political action committee to help elect homosexual congressional candidates and those favorable to their agenda,” Acosta added.<br />
<br />
Amid tackling more issues regarding unfortunate consequences of homosexual activity and predisposing factors of leading to homosexuality, the pro-life advocate explained the need to spread the life-affirming message against the backdrop of the push for homosexual rights.<br />
<br />
“Our goal in presenting to you the homosexual agenda is not really to incite hatred for those persons who suffer homosexual inclinations nor even against the gay activitists. It is to alert the public about the campaign to promote homosexual practice, and to call people — especially us in the Catholic Church — in all sectors to make a firm and appropriate response and address different approaches available to men and women of homosexual inclination who wish to leave… the life of active homosexuality.”</div><br />
She reminded everyone that healing can be and has been found after living a homosexual lifestyle, and that “every sign of discrimination in their regard should be avoided,” quoting from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (CBCP for Life) </blockquote>Raffy Aquinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447103087267785766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-18496274379899038052011-11-22T03:34:00.001-08:002011-11-22T03:35:44.869-08:00Pride March 2011 General Assembly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qcgCO3rbz8/TsuJBdbOMPI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/9TaOHhstGqY/s1600/tfp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="80px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qcgCO3rbz8/TsuJBdbOMPI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/9TaOHhstGqY/s320/tfp.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Date: November 26, 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;">Time: 7:00pm</div><div style="text-align: center;">Venue: Metropolitan Community Church Quezon City</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/F 56 Mindanao Ave. Project 6, Quezon City</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Agenda:</div><div style="text-align: center;">2011 Pride March</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">RSVP:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Raffy Aquino</div><div style="text-align: center;">09163089903</div><div style="text-align: center;">09333049795</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:taskforcepride@gmail.com"><span style="color: #c33503;">taskforcepride@gmail.com</span></a></div>Raffy Aquinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447103087267785766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-27513264842637914892011-11-20T04:46:00.000-08:002011-11-27T23:14:27.819-08:002011 Annual Manila Pride March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUksxEJgbio/TtL1MRnoMpI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/VHWH6M2xl9g/s1600/392940_181805471911919_100002474012438_346603_1804393662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUksxEJgbio/TtL1MRnoMpI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/VHWH6M2xl9g/s400/392940_181805471911919_100002474012438_346603_1804393662_n.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Task Force Pride, a non-profit network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) groups will organize the 17th Annual Pride March in Manila. The aim of the march is to gather different LGBT groups, allies and individuals in solidarity, as well as provide positive visibility to the community.<br />
<br />
This year's theme, “Pride of the Orient”, recalls the community's achievements with regard to advancing LGBT human rights, such as... organizing the first pride march in Asia in 1994 and the formation of Ladlad party list, the only LGBT-oriented party list in the world, and extensive HIV/AIDS Awareness campaigns nationwide .<br />
<br />
“Pride of the Orient” calls on LGBT Filipinos to reclaim these milestones and look forward to more victories they've yet to achieve.<br />
<br />
For Organizations, please confirm in this link:<br />
<a href="http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-organizations.html%20" target="_blank">http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-organizations.html%20</a><br />
<br />
For Individuals, please confirm in this link:<br />
<a href="http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-individuals.html">http://taskforcepride.blogspot.com/2011/11/2011-confirmation-form-individuals.html</a><br />
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Registration begins at 1:00 pm at Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, and Pride March contingents that arrive early will be greeted by a brief program until 4:00 pm. The hosts will explain the event's concept and encourage contingents to come up with a cheer for the march.<br />
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The march will begin at 4:15 pm and will end by 5 pm. During this time, the second half of the program will commence. The program will feature LGBT performers as well as brief solidarity messages from prominent LGBT individuals.<br />
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The Parade Route is seen in the diagram below:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfnU8UaSuA0/TtM0iESZV-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/P8-zJe6WUys/s1600/parade+route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JfnU8UaSuA0/TtM0iESZV-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/P8-zJe6WUys/s400/parade+route.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Please check the TFP page regularly for updates on the program line-up and the venue. Thanks, and see you all on December 3, 2011 at the Pride March!<br />
<br />
For more information you can visit this FB Event Page:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241089652610923">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241089652610923</a><br />
<br />
Visit the official website:<br />
<a href="http://www.taskforcepride.blogspot.com/">http://www.taskforcepride.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
email us at: <br />
taskforcepride@gmail.com<br />
or SMS us at 09163089903 (Globe), 09333049795 (Sun)<br />
<br />
Yours with Pride,<br />
<br />
Raffy Aquino<br />
2011 Membership & Participation Head<br />
Task Force Pride<br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="215" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CNGBg_NYzWM" width="460"></iframe></center>Raffy Aquinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447103087267785766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-50235841889671219562011-11-17T22:40:00.000-08:002011-11-17T22:40:03.256-08:0013th Transgender Day of Remembrance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ473i2RVz63Wc2CfjfS_qvoMqui6N-U998B3OKIP08GmWvxxpOJJYuS6JxGJlkSsyQswWhK6lDXHqLrxaJ96fBNG8910pikJFKAGzhoiAS5ffYlbn7YZXToBMvFhugSIKDBz1ltX7eyvO/s1600/392592_236707069725162_100001576137102_680265_1425615953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ473i2RVz63Wc2CfjfS_qvoMqui6N-U998B3OKIP08GmWvxxpOJJYuS6JxGJlkSsyQswWhK6lDXHqLrxaJ96fBNG8910pikJFKAGzhoiAS5ffYlbn7YZXToBMvFhugSIKDBz1ltX7eyvO/s400/392592_236707069725162_100001576137102_680265_1425615953_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where: Isis International #3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Quezon City Metro Manila, Philippines</div><div style="text-align: center;">When: November 20, 2011, Sunday Time:1:00pm until 4:00pm</div><div style="text-align: center;">Organizer: Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)<br />
<br />
Event Page:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/194935397252709">http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/194935397252709</a></div>Raffy Aquinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447103087267785766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-73647449453172477602011-11-16T20:51:00.001-08:002011-11-16T21:01:34.661-08:00The Devil wears Penshoppe<span id="fullpost">Here's an email I sent to Penshoppe with regard to my experience just today from one of their staff in Trinoma. </span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It's been a long time since I last shopped for your brand and today I decided to visit your Trinoma Branch. I was looking for a pair of denim so when I got the pair I wanted, I asked the sales lady for a smaller size than the one I was holding, then with utterly complete disregard, she said "Ay Sir 29 lang po ang smallest size namin, yung 28 po sa ladies' section na po". I am a professional young gay guy who was dressed appropriately. Despite the fact that I am out (everyone I know knows my sexual preference), I found it very rude, unprofessional, and disrespectful of her to say that to me. While she was looking for a smaller pair, I left the store hoping to exit with a new pair of jeans, but all I took with me was an insult from one of your staff. Had it not been for my two friends who convinced me to shrug it off, I wouldn't have had the energy to continue shopping. We went to Landmark and found Penshoppe yet again. I really wanted to get the pair I held in my hands at the Trinoma branch so I took another shot, and I was glad to have received such great service from the staff that day. I got the pair with no insult attached to the denim. With regard to the incompetent and disrespectful girl who was in the Trinoma branch, she deserves a lesson in great customer service because she doesn't know how to give one. And it would be an embarrassment to your great company if this situation would happen to other potential customers thanks to her. I am hoping to hear from you soon to acknowledge my concern, or else, I'd go back and report that girl to the supervisor.
</blockquote>
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Let's wait for their reply.Ham Viloriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16100839351779585160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-67387267625998198522011-10-19T15:57:00.000-07:002011-10-19T19:48:37.542-07:00Transpinay speaks on German panel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq41/diabolllique_photo/?action=view&current=NaomiFontanosinBerlin.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><img alt="Naomi Fontanos, STRAP Chairwoman" border="0" src="http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq41/diabolllique_photo/NaomiFontanosinBerlin.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">20 October 2011 – Naomi Fontanos, chairwoman of the <a href="http://www.tsphilippines.com/">Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)</a> the pioneer human rights advocacy organization of transgender/transsexual Filipinas or transpinays, spoke on a panel called Trans* Rights Are Human Rights organized by the <a href="http://www.boell.de/democracy/gender/feminism-gender-democracy-panel-discussion-trans-rights-humanrights-13009.html">Heinrich Boell Foundation</a> in Berlin, Germany on 5 October 2011, Wednesday (see video below). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The panel focused on the initial research findings of the <a href="http://www.transrespect-transphobia.org/">TransRespect Vs TransPhobia (TvT) Project</a> of <a href="http://www.tgeu.org/">Transgender Europe (TGEU)</a>, which investigates the legal and social situation of transgender people globally.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Talking about transpeople in East and Southeast Asia, Fontanos said "From East Asia to Southeast Asia, transpeople face a similar situation: silenced, excluded and erased. Most transpeople have no say over their identities; their lived realities are belittled and dismissed and state and cultural forces act to render them powerless, with no control over their own lives.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Like others elsewhere in the world, transpeople in East and Southeast Asia are coerced to make a choice between a life of dignity and their gender identity as if these two were exclusive of each other,” she added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The packed auditorium was attended by locals, human rights advocates, and members of the media and the transcommunity in Berlin. In the panel with Fontanos were Carla LaGata and Jan Simon Hutta, the main TvT researchers, Witnes Booysen, Outreach Coordinator of GenderDynamix in South Africa, Tamara Adrian, a lawyer and transactivist from Venezuela, Agniva Lahiri, Executive Director of People Like Us (PLUS) Calcutta, Joleen Mataele, Chairperson of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN) from Tonga and Kristian Randelovic of Transgayten in Serbia. The panel was chaired by Julia Ehrt, co-chair of TGEU.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can see a video of the panel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/boellstiftung?blend=10&ob=5#p/u/4/wEGc4-_8jgA">here</a>.</div></div>PinayTGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484846494995110009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-30438401165091875832011-10-03T19:35:00.000-07:002011-10-04T22:04:21.957-07:00Living Positively + Living Well Campaign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7SQqJ-teXPNDvcivRkvr3_Cg3j6IQqZTSCmaCNpgyDf6R1XbUnIeC5-Hb2II1Zd1AiNyXBEcyfbqYwCgyzyqJDcLs80uaM5Ao8JfqYGZxNSgfW4JhXD4W41-e2kUWHZdSnaRrukHIQw/s1600/paulo+padmasana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7SQqJ-teXPNDvcivRkvr3_Cg3j6IQqZTSCmaCNpgyDf6R1XbUnIeC5-Hb2II1Zd1AiNyXBEcyfbqYwCgyzyqJDcLs80uaM5Ao8JfqYGZxNSgfW4JhXD4W41-e2kUWHZdSnaRrukHIQw/s320/paulo+padmasana.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 15px Arial; margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 15px Arial; margin: 0px;"><strong>LIVING POSITIVELY + LIVING WELL</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A movement to use love and happiness against HIV.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Begin your own advocacy to live with a positive outlook, and share that positivism to the world. Add your voice to the growing number of advocates rallying for positivism and against HIV.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">To be a part of the <em>Living Positively + Living Well Open Photoshoot</em>:</div><ol style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Share your stories, thoughts, or philosophies on how you live positively;</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Join our two-part open photoshoot; and</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Be featured in our photo exhibition.</li>
</ol><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>When:</strong> October 22 and 29 (10AM-6PM)</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Where:</strong> Pioneer Studios, 123 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><em> </em></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="color: black;">For the location map and directions to the venue, visit <a href="http://www.pioneerstudios.ph/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">www.pioneerstudios.ph</span></a>. </span>The parking space in front of Pioneer Studios is limited and a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">tow-away zone</span>. Pay parking is available at Pioneer Citiland Parking near the studio at the corner of Pioneer Street and Reliance Street (see location map). Rates are PhP30.00 for first 3 hours and PhP10.00 succeeding hours.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Registration Fee:</strong> PhP1,000.00</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Proceeds to the event will be used for further skills training of YFL members as we expand our program to reach more people affected by HIV.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Specially-trained peer counselors from The Love Yourself Project (TLYP) will offer free counseling during the event.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>How to Participate:</strong></div><ol style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Pre-register to confirm your participation (see registration form below)<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Answer the question “How do you live positively?”</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Select a schedule for your photoshoot. Make sure to indicate the following details:<ol style="list-style-type: lower-roman;"><li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Shirt size;</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Preferred date; and</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Preferred time.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Come to the scheduled photoshoot date and time<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"><li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Get professionally-shot portraits by photographer Noel Abelardo; and</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">A special Yoga for Life “Living Positively + Living Well” t-shirt.</li>
</ol></li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Watch out for the Photo Exhibition in December 2011</li>
</ol><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 15.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>FAQs</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>What should I wear?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">You will be provided a Yoga for Life t-shirt to wear during the photoshoot. Please wear bottoms that will allow you to comfortably sit in a cross-legged position on the floor, e.g. pants.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Will the basic grooming or make-up service include hair styling?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">We will have make-up artists on site to do basic touch-ups and grooming. We prefer the participants to look naturally beautiful; there is no need to look extremely glamorous.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Why do I have to pre-register and pay a 50% downpayment?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">We don’t want you to wait long to have your photo taken. So by pre-registering and making a downpayment, we can reserve a timeslot that is most convenient for you. We will also be able to reserve a t-shirt that best fits your size. This process will allow us to work more efficiently and give you the attention and service you deserve. You can pay the 50% balance at the venue. We can issue official receipts upon request.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Can I still go if I did not pre-register or pay the 50% downpayment?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Yes, but you may have to wait for the next available timeslot. Pre-registered individuals will be given priority. Best to give us a call before you come so we can advice you. Call Charmaine at 09175404247. You can pay the P1,000 donation at the venue.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Can I bring a friend who wants to go for the same photoshoot but had not pre-registered on the website?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Yes, but same rule applies as in the previous question.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>How long will the photoshoot take?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Allot 1.5 to 2 hours for the whole process, which will include registration, 10-minute peer education, make-up/grooming, and actual photoshoot.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Is the HIV peer education required?</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The 10-minute HIV peer education session is optional, but highly recommended. You will be in the good hands of certified peer educators from The Love Yourself Project, our partner for the campaign. It will be a productive way to fill in the waiting time.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 15.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">By filling out the <a href="http://www.yogaforlife.ph/yfl/index.php?option=com_seminar&Itemid=65"><span style="color: #1b57b1;">registration form</span></a>, I am committing to participate in this photoshoot in support of Yoga for Life’s Living Positively + Living Well Campaign. I understand that the donation of P1,000.00 will be collected from every participant to pay for a package that includes: (1) a Yoga for Life t-shirt, (2) basic grooming or make-up services, (3) a free HIV peer education session, and (4) two post-processed digital photos - 1 headshot layout and 1 lotus yoga pose layout.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Please make a 50% downpayment or full payment to reserve a timeslot. Fill in and submit the registration form on or before 21 October 2011. We will contact you through email or mobile phone to confirm your reserved timeslot.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong>Payment Instructions</strong></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;">You have three options for paying:</div><ol style="list-style-type: decimal;"><li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Make a 50% downpayment of PhP500.00 by depositing it to our bank account and pay the 50% balance during the actual photoshoot;</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Make a full payment of PhP1,000.00 by depositing it to our bank account; or</li>
<li style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Paying either amount directly to Charmaine Cu-Unjieng or Paulo Leonido (co-founders) during a regular yoga class on or before 19 October 2011. Official receipts will be given. Please settle any balance during the actual photoshoot. Schedule of classes can be found at <a href="http://www.yogaforlife.ph/"><span style="color: #1b57b1; text-decoration: underline;">www.yogaforlife.ph</span></a>.</li>
</ol><div style="color: #333233; font: 14.0px Tahoma; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">For bank deposits, our bank details are as follows:</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px;">Bank name: China Banking Corp. (Chinabank Greenhills Branch)</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px;">Account name: Yoga for Life Foundation, Inc.</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px;">Account number: 105-375041-6</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333233; font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><strong><em>* Please show your bank deposit slip or Yoga for Life official receipt when you register during the actual photoshoot.</em></strong></div></div>positHIVehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948930895474196804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-63843407543320075062011-08-22T01:10:00.000-07:002011-08-22T01:13:10.329-07:00"Kill the Gays Bill" - barbaric and abhorrent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://mycdn.theexcitantgroup.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/uganda-kill-the-gays.jpg?cda6c1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://mycdn.theexcitantgroup.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/uganda-kill-the-gays.jpg?cda6c1" width="400" /></a>Nakakalungkot isipin na may isang taong naisipang isumite ang bill na ito upang gawing batas!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ganito ang nangyayari sa Uganda. Isang bansang tinaguriang 'perlas ng afrika'. Bansang ang pagiging bakla ay kinamumuhian at may parusang kamatayan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nagsimula ang ganitong ideolohiya sa Uganda dahil sa mga christian evangelist na dala'y bibliya at pananampalataya upang sakupin ang kaisipan ng mga tao. Walang masama sa adhikaing ito. Bagkus, ito'y isang magandang gawain sa lahat ng may pananampalataya sa kanilang Diyos!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Subalit, sa kadahilanang sarado at mangmang ang mga pastor na ito tungkol sa saklaw ng pagiging homosexual, pati utak ng mga mga tao ay nilason na nila sa kaisipang ang babae ay para sa lalaki at walang puwang sa mundo ang mga bakla at tomboy.</div><br />
<blockquote style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://coupledumb.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/stopwitchhuntinggayugandans-208x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://coupledumb.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/stopwitchhuntinggayugandans-208x300.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>American evangelicals such as Scott Lively and California pastor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Warren" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Rick Warren">Rick Warren</a> have a history of involvement in Uganda where they focus their missionary work. As a result, Warren and others have become influential in the shaping of public policy in Uganda, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Nigeria">Nigeria</a> and, to a lesser extent, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Kenya">Kenya</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-kaoma_11-1" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill#cite_note-kaoma-11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[11]</a></sup> Pambazuka News stated "It's worth noting that it costs a considerable amount of money, time and processes to table a private-member’s bill, which begs the question of how the MP from Kabale District [Bahati] is financing this process? It has also been common practice for the mushrooming pastors and churches to use homophobic attacks on opponents as a way to discredit each other and sway faithfuls."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-pambazuka1_23-1" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill#cite_note-pambazuka1-23" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[23]</a></sup> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Ssempa" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Martin Ssempa">Martin Ssempa</a>, a Ugandan pastor and former affiliate of Warren, has endorsed the bill,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-miller_26-0" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill#cite_note-miller-26" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[25]</a></sup> and after a period of silence and a refusal to take sides in the matter, Warren has publicly denounced the bill, calling it "un-Christian".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill#cite_note-27" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">[26]</a></sup> In February 2010, to counter opposition to the bill, Ssempa showed gay pornography to 300 members of his church, shocking them with images of explicit sexual acts, and implying that all gay people engage in them, but straight people do not. (excerpt from Wikipedia)</i></span></blockquote><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hindi malayong mangyari sa Pilipinas ang ganitong siste hangga't nasa Kamara de Representante si Abante. Matter of fact Rep. Bienvenido Abante authored House Bill 6919, which branded homosexuals as "highly immoral, scandalous and detestable act" the union of the same sex. Even cohabitation between persons of the same sex or gender who live together as ‘husband and wife’ merits the highest penalty: imprisonment from 10 to 15 years and a fine from P100,000 to P150,000.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bagama't bukas ang kaisipan ng sambayanang Pilipino patungkol sa usaping ito, hindi pa rin mawawala sa isipan ng LGBT community ang takot na baka mauwi sa lahat ang pagsusumikap ng buong komunidad na kilalanin ng ating saligang batas!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Ang panghihimasok ng simbahan sa mga usaping katulad nito ay walang maidudulot na mabuti. Katulad na lamang nitong <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>Anti-Homosexuality Bill</b> (also known as the "<b>Kill the Gays Bill</b>") sa Uganda na naimpluwensyahan ng mga alagad ng diyos.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Pang-unawa ang respeto lamang ang hinihingi ng komunidad at hindi awa. Hindi rin namin kelangan ang dasal ng buong Vatican para gumaling dahil wala naman kaming nakakahawang sakit.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Subalit, bilang isang taong may pananampalataya, aming pinagdadasal sa aming mga Diyos na sanay maliwanagan ang inyong mga mangmang na kaisipan.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Ganda lang!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div>Jffkleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472757364374153351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-43142419272423867462011-05-22T21:54:00.000-07:002011-05-23T04:37:49.886-07:00Transpinays make human rights history with UN communication<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0w5c1z5u6rRehp-A4pC-eaOn-hpGF9FZgLgr3eA1ukXiBUaGwygT7Dzc-wsMXN7xk5tinr9qp_85B3Q1_hplys4XF6mvADDucMfztBdHRQlIg1pMuZq7KBo2ErgM6LA39LAE0x68S6bu/s1600/strap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0w5c1z5u6rRehp-A4pC-eaOn-hpGF9FZgLgr3eA1ukXiBUaGwygT7Dzc-wsMXN7xk5tinr9qp_85B3Q1_hplys4XF6mvADDucMfztBdHRQlIg1pMuZq7KBo2ErgM6LA39LAE0x68S6bu/s400/strap.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>CSWCD, UP Diliman -- The <a href="http://www.tsphilippines.com/">Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP)</a>, the pioneer transgender human rights organization in the Philippines, makes history as they send off a communication to the United Nations (UN) that calls attention to state responsibilities of the Philippine Government as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to pay careful attention to how the justice system updates itself with current developments in international human rights law in its understanding of gender identity through the lived experiences of transsexual women. <br />
<br />
"The launch of this historical and important communication to the United Nations comes at a very opportune time what with the recent hurtful pronouncements made by the mother of Congressman Manny Pacquiao. Mommy Dionisia has made comments about transsexuals and their use of the pill showing the widespread ignorance about transsexualism in the Philippines," says STRAP Chairwoman Naomi Fontanos. <br />
<br />
The communication aims to put a spotlight on the plight of transpinays (transsexual Filipinas) and their struggle with institutionalized transphobia--the negative attitude towards transgender people that leads to cruelty, abuse and discrimination--as demonstrated by the 2008 Supreme Court (SC) decision that denied a transsexual woman's petition for legal name and sex change. The communication, which highlights the debilitating effects of the the SC decision on the lives of three transpinays--Naomi Fontanos, Juliana Geissel and Rio Moreno--was made possible in collaboration with the Women and Development (WD) Women and the Law class 2010-2011 of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) under Atty. Evalyn Ursua.<br />
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The communication will be launched and sent off to the UN at the CSWCD grounds at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman at 5:30 pm on 23 May 2011. The event is open to the public.</div>PinayTGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484846494995110009noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-24409525430230657502011-05-05T21:50:00.001-07:002011-05-09T06:36:17.821-07:00100% Guilt Free Shopper event Teaser 4<center><iframe width="300" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kKqKDqCELB0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><b>A Fashion Blogger, A Graphic artist & illustrator and A Model-Host & Preschool teacher are all united for FAIR TRADE. They are 100% Guilt Free Shoppers, how about you?<br /><br />Make the SWITCH! <br />5.14.11<br />Shangri La Plaza Mall<br /><br />Facebook.com/wftoasia<br /></b></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-57280559841695435552011-05-05T21:47:00.000-07:002011-05-09T06:36:17.829-07:00100% Guilt Free Shopper event Teaser 3<center><iframe width="300" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wlbt7-GfldY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><b>A French and A Japanese student volunteers, A Singer and A Model-VJ are all united for FAIR TRADE. They are 100% Guilt Free Shoppers, how about you?<br /><br />Make the SWITCH! <br />5.14.11<br />Shangri La Plaza Mall<br /><br />Facebook.com/wftoasia<br /></b></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-13269193589933348602011-05-05T21:43:00.001-07:002011-05-09T06:36:17.838-07:00100% Guilt Free Shopper event Teaser 2<center><iframe width="300" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pG7XADYEjSE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><b>A Radio DJ, A Fashion Stylist, A Film Director and A Climate Change<br />Commissioner are all united for FAIR TRADE. They are 100% Guilt Free<br />Shoppers, how about you?<br /><br />Make the SWITCH! <br />5.14.11<br />Shangri La Plaza Mall<br /><br />Facebook.com/wftoasia<br /></b></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-73799642022719273962011-05-04T12:50:00.001-07:002011-05-09T06:36:17.846-07:00100% Guilt Free Shopper Event Teaser 1<center><iframe width="300" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aaayx1i2CJY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><b>A Beauty Queen with a cause, A Blogger, A Climate Change Warrior and An Icon are all united for FAIR TRADE. They are 100% Guilt Free Shoppers, how about you?<br /><br />Make the SWITCH! <br />5.14.11<br />Shangri La Plaza Mall<br /><br />Facebook.com/wftoasia</b></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-75566608852569798952011-05-03T19:46:00.000-07:002011-05-05T23:13:14.278-07:00MCC Makati - “Transforming hearts, lives and history”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW-nsvl3G4DIhZbZc_CeT4WX0XIeQZ5Ep-evB76Vsc1vrznsegkYDxc_fG0sgaYZxzK6WMdVWLGZaUrJNw0TKYyHciBGApHCHyH0U_eKfNAw9FfMjAnO4aZapsabiKdN3Oldv6XeqYcXQ/s1600/viewer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW-nsvl3G4DIhZbZc_CeT4WX0XIeQZ5Ep-evB76Vsc1vrznsegkYDxc_fG0sgaYZxzK6WMdVWLGZaUrJNw0TKYyHciBGApHCHyH0U_eKfNAw9FfMjAnO4aZapsabiKdN3Oldv6XeqYcXQ/s640/viewer.png" width="451px" /></a></div>What is a Metropolitan Community Church?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We are a denomination of Christian Churches called the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). MCC Makati is a spirit-filled, non-denominational, Christian church that is open and affirming of the GLBT community. The Fellowship believes in including all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race or other previous denominational affiliation. While our primary outreach in the Philippines is to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, our doors are open to all.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Our special mission is to connect the GLBT community with God, just as they are. To let everyone know that a person can be gay/lesbian or straight and still serve God. We also strive to educate mainstream Christianity of the importance of the GLBT community in God's plan. MCC Makati is open to ALL people - gay, lesbian, straight, men, women, African American, Caucasian, Asian, Latino, rich, poor, young, old, etc. Please make yourself at home, and take your time checking out the information on our church.</div><br />
The first Metropolitan Community Church was founded by Rev. Troy Perry (a Pentecostal Preacher) in Los Angeles in 1968. He believed that it was God's will that lesbian and gay people hear the Good News of God's inclusive love, especially since they had been generally rejected by the older, mainline churches.<br />
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UFMCC now has over 300 churches worldwide! By the grace of God, there are now 3 churches in the Philippines located in Makati, Quezon City and Baguio!<br />
<br />
Where is Metropolitan Community Church in Makati (MCC Makati) located?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Our temporary office and worship center is located at TLF Office 2580 A. Bonifacio St. Bangkal Evangelista Makati City Philippines. At present, we hold our worship services at Veijo Multi-purpose Hall Brgy. Veijo Guadalupe Makati City. Weekly services are held every Sunday at 5:00PM.</div></div>Jffkleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472757364374153351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-22229453733807274632011-05-01T19:52:00.000-07:002011-05-08T04:50:43.467-07:00Looking for Call Center AgentsAgent Posts Available:<br /><br />Customer Service Representative/ Technical Support Representative/ Outbound Agents<br /><br />*Candidates must possess a 4-year Bachelor's degree or must have completed 1st two years in college at least.<br />*Candidates must possess average to excellent communication skills.<br />*Candidates must be fluent in English<br />*Candidates must be willing to work in graveyard shifts or shifting schedules<br />*Previous call center experience for INTERNATIONAL accounts is an advantage, but not a requirement.<br />*Fresh graduates are welcome to Apply.<br /><br />Interested applicants may send their resume to maquino@viventis-search.com and we will set a schedule for an initial screening.<br /><br />Working Locations: Alabang, Taguig, Makati, Libis, Cubao, and Ortigas.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" src="https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dGFOc2xmMDhRRkZRRHF0bHRMOVlGbWc6MQ" marginwidth="0" frameborder="0" height="962" width="760">Loading...</iframe>Yffar (^^,)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02254316148983198508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-44986719395781096222011-04-30T13:52:00.000-07:002011-04-30T13:53:01.071-07:00100% Guilt Free Shopper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi30hpMU3hA9ShRcO_Bzdgw_gL80KkoRIosHCGwkVfcQsDHQifOalLZOt-euRm_2Jm-SrY2psPWW5DGzIXMhLg0rdsuYJ2K6EQFrLY2MlNDMqLXe-tdmCF5h85OYIghm55ihtSIeWvXjU/s1600/100%2525+Guilt+Free+Shopper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi30hpMU3hA9ShRcO_Bzdgw_gL80KkoRIosHCGwkVfcQsDHQifOalLZOt-euRm_2Jm-SrY2psPWW5DGzIXMhLg0rdsuYJ2K6EQFrLY2MlNDMqLXe-tdmCF5h85OYIghm55ihtSIeWvXjU/s320/100%2525+Guilt+Free+Shopper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476383166231570" /></a><br /><br />World Fair Trade Day is a worldwide celebration of Fair Trade which has been supported for the past few years by thousands of citizens, Fair Trade Organizations, social and environmental movements, local authorities, national governments, multilateral institutions, producers and consumers all around the planet. Last year, more than 52 countries took part in this global call for change. This year, more than 73 countries in 5 regions are expected to participate.<br /><br />In the Philippines, WFTO Asia will be celebrating the World Fair Trade Day in Shangri La Plaza Mall Grand Atrium from May 13 to 15. There will be a photo exhibit, a mini expo of certified Fair Trade products from all over Asia, and booths where people can sign up to become a volunteer and/or a sponsor.<br /><br />In line with the organization’s regional consumer brand & logo with the tagline, “Shopping with a Conscience,” WFTO Asia will launch its consumer campaign ‘100% Guilt Free Shopper’ on May 14.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsaj__HZX5xBmE48F6jCVUqa2B2Bq6qlyEffg80GmYm5z5wKc-axwg4In-9Nwbeu2NRQcRZDndHxccv_aTMegRKIw3ydSegqrVQtXWR53x69mpqBiUDBK8aYzq_tU-5rtmbmwLSYMLSQ/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsaj__HZX5xBmE48F6jCVUqa2B2Bq6qlyEffg80GmYm5z5wKc-axwg4In-9Nwbeu2NRQcRZDndHxccv_aTMegRKIw3ydSegqrVQtXWR53x69mpqBiUDBK8aYzq_tU-5rtmbmwLSYMLSQ/s320/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476381171887170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBfCLILTa9RezmjaqJ3HEYsmU0Bdpd7PYgmDN17QX7Kxnx_c6r3KUQB8ecCfVHTvKL0CJ7hJAZMo3aC0H54hJj58yQdGUCqN5ffil0z6AqrE-ka46Gh5WBecNXWTb4SiGvU0z_BsTmq0/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBfCLILTa9RezmjaqJ3HEYsmU0Bdpd7PYgmDN17QX7Kxnx_c6r3KUQB8ecCfVHTvKL0CJ7hJAZMo3aC0H54hJj58yQdGUCqN5ffil0z6AqrE-ka46Gh5WBecNXWTb4SiGvU0z_BsTmq0/s320/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476377890680946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIfAKMuYvvzIDsGPNz7wJK9Q87GKPcUHgLj_iuxvqJ1DebtnQPojQWU3iY78V6L9JGJ1Yj0yTZl_3o8y2YTe7kS4vBaBdIqdHQ1KTL7MwkpxXlGmF9Xd_4PdTrrXwOSKBWMlrtgWWLaE/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIfAKMuYvvzIDsGPNz7wJK9Q87GKPcUHgLj_iuxvqJ1DebtnQPojQWU3iY78V6L9JGJ1Yj0yTZl_3o8y2YTe7kS4vBaBdIqdHQ1KTL7MwkpxXlGmF9Xd_4PdTrrXwOSKBWMlrtgWWLaE/s320/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476159261770626" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9an1P0oJADJw8P7c3AjfBsLHskosTle2Mj4OwuCrQ1bU90cnO0hqZaKRdExZFx9PS0ZTUdFgVQ1a_rGeO6OYjyE7AsqDNK82LXWlHFPQ7N8GC5-w_m9YuwQfAxT4aNY2cUIxxrEPCCU/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9an1P0oJADJw8P7c3AjfBsLHskosTle2Mj4OwuCrQ1bU90cnO0hqZaKRdExZFx9PS0ZTUdFgVQ1a_rGeO6OYjyE7AsqDNK82LXWlHFPQ7N8GC5-w_m9YuwQfAxT4aNY2cUIxxrEPCCU/s320/4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476154106253058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bK1YFi7eoj0PY5mgJbAyopV0oesT709bqs7Gb8GQ9EuBOwqrOn1gQkMx0AexMqRrs9psM3Q5IDPabLE_VDqcVCW5sw8y4RTk7rxKFShdNThh0NT9eAd5Qhh2_RI4HRdzPviGGSK5k8s/s1600/5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bK1YFi7eoj0PY5mgJbAyopV0oesT709bqs7Gb8GQ9EuBOwqrOn1gQkMx0AexMqRrs9psM3Q5IDPabLE_VDqcVCW5sw8y4RTk7rxKFShdNThh0NT9eAd5Qhh2_RI4HRdzPviGGSK5k8s/s320/5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476145248265698" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWbM3NMcjMTwy974EN-BpD8dQfM4jXKACqcgd3sgNnhzwfRSHXvf1ONIEzBr5WRnZ8LHtOjwMZ0GNbZqWaKitoJeuVLkpLoWbnBMBym6yt8DEdOpBdWd4DjMNXHiiniSZ1YPpjC1TLbI/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWbM3NMcjMTwy974EN-BpD8dQfM4jXKACqcgd3sgNnhzwfRSHXvf1ONIEzBr5WRnZ8LHtOjwMZ0GNbZqWaKitoJeuVLkpLoWbnBMBym6yt8DEdOpBdWd4DjMNXHiiniSZ1YPpjC1TLbI/s320/6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476145266713394" /></a><br /><br />The campaign aims to inform everyone, especially the consumers, what Fair Trade is and the 10 principles it represents. It aims to empower the consumers that by SWITCHING to Fair Trade by either BUYING (certified Fair Trade products and/or the organization’s advocacy merchandise) or SUPPORTING (Sponsoring/Donating/Fundraising, becoming a volunteer intern, and or participating in the organization’s events), they have the power to BEAT POVERTY, BEAT CLIMATE CHANGE, BEAT DISCRIMINATION, BEAT EXPLOITATION and BEAT IGNORANCE.<br /><br />“This campaign targets 1,000,000 switchers by the end of the year. 1,000,000 people in Asia who realized that thoughtless buying isn’t enough. 1,000,000 people who believes that they can use the power of their purchase to change the lives of millions of disadvantaged communities all over the world,” says Toni Zuniga, Business Development and Brand Officer of WFTO Asia.<br /><br />“Fair Trade is such a worthy advocacy and movement. It’s really big in countries like the UK and the US. It’s about time that Asia knows about it & unite for change which is not easy because of the relatively low awareness of the Asian consumers about Fair Trade.” says Zuniga.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2wt-IqKoG9eq1sSgsR5bCp_oubdD9JjXJkXUjtO5A2rGzSnTlzy32WRVuIUFiXmNTl0klZOFl5-7fBgXTsqORELbHicjX2TWtWGlooqn6M57bUctRPnIeK59rA-JyBLP5V8cv47XXC8/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2wt-IqKoG9eq1sSgsR5bCp_oubdD9JjXJkXUjtO5A2rGzSnTlzy32WRVuIUFiXmNTl0klZOFl5-7fBgXTsqORELbHicjX2TWtWGlooqn6M57bUctRPnIeK59rA-JyBLP5V8cv47XXC8/s320/7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601476143235514546" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_HkfQoeinC0JcxuJuRkN5oQ98-I5wWxGE_xHWkCy2Uec3g3bmC1PyTmeF7m-M8PFIaxY_8l5snn06XbotAiVHca4OWbrOR02FNt54_gjaCiyE8DERqHzkmlZy3VYoldzirstoabYVXM/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_HkfQoeinC0JcxuJuRkN5oQ98-I5wWxGE_xHWkCy2Uec3g3bmC1PyTmeF7m-M8PFIaxY_8l5snn06XbotAiVHca4OWbrOR02FNt54_gjaCiyE8DERqHzkmlZy3VYoldzirstoabYVXM/s320/8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601475850996484306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFAdS0IdOBFugqYSYLykAuNSd5HGWda02nsNbGKVR8qKMneMSDEHTwDDQUuPn-Zv43TSERsTxlfg9cus89lr4EEQ3hNwQVM_QP3Mn3TCwmLaSkX8TSSIXBQzvkx0n6jA1_jnKU1qMsO8/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFAdS0IdOBFugqYSYLykAuNSd5HGWda02nsNbGKVR8qKMneMSDEHTwDDQUuPn-Zv43TSERsTxlfg9cus89lr4EEQ3hNwQVM_QP3Mn3TCwmLaSkX8TSSIXBQzvkx0n6jA1_jnKU1qMsO8/s320/9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601475840013379362" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGlKCMM-Ez2XP9Mk-4__xRkxSc28QQwIE6h6UzvvuXFWut_lF6UGLzv-aB7axvyToJ9gl-WYhKpEaBIv3NTvSrPN2PMUWeapLk_XVbrYiZqvNZO3AE5UibBWeXEO2t7RuArx1LA3zhUo/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGlKCMM-Ez2XP9Mk-4__xRkxSc28QQwIE6h6UzvvuXFWut_lF6UGLzv-aB7axvyToJ9gl-WYhKpEaBIv3NTvSrPN2PMUWeapLk_XVbrYiZqvNZO3AE5UibBWeXEO2t7RuArx1LA3zhUo/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601475843074927170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5_U1_wrWGkChszgwf5eFXOFMC9Bb6jJuV1ZGp17fFsBuE8lkaRfe61JR4NpEcjVdh-8QaG0EnXKcixz6B8eEYN4umqE6sMALq1PVXscpJv8K_xjLCGgy_ZjQMjgSXc68iEJ2ZVYDIVM/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5_U1_wrWGkChszgwf5eFXOFMC9Bb6jJuV1ZGp17fFsBuE8lkaRfe61JR4NpEcjVdh-8QaG0EnXKcixz6B8eEYN4umqE6sMALq1PVXscpJv8K_xjLCGgy_ZjQMjgSXc68iEJ2ZVYDIVM/s320/11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601475836181278050" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hmUP1uB_hcnOciiX9lNbh-oOIoQN3y9aYkd-_e1NsDhMkkmTx2gusjMSyOXu0vV14Z9xv_JuiBOlqPBo-X-lJdhGGmtraiO_ZaKS0qytqi1xyiq9FOR1KXc1PSRfOX5zJIPHmyaV7Mc/s1600/12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hmUP1uB_hcnOciiX9lNbh-oOIoQN3y9aYkd-_e1NsDhMkkmTx2gusjMSyOXu0vV14Z9xv_JuiBOlqPBo-X-lJdhGGmtraiO_ZaKS0qytqi1xyiq9FOR1KXc1PSRfOX5zJIPHmyaV7Mc/s320/12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601475830782164834" /></a><br /><br />Many celebrities like Emma Watson, Sir Paul Mc Cartney and Annie Lennox have been active supporters of Fair Trade. Emma Watson, for example, partnered with a WFTO member organization called ‘People Tree’ to release a line of Fair Trade clothing in the UK.<br /><br />As part of the 100% Guilt Free Shopper campaign, WFTO Asia will be introducing 12<br />personalities who’ll be the Ambassadors of Fair Trade here in the Philippines. These individuals came from different fields and industries, some are already household names while others are well-known in their respective fields.<br /><br />“Anybody can be a Guilt Free Shopping Ambassador. You don’t have to be a celebrity or<br />automatically be a 100% Fair Trade practitioner. The first step in becoming one is to be educated about Fair Trade and the 10 principles that comprise it. The next step is to slowly transition to Fair Trade. The change doesn’t have to be radical- Buy a Fair Trade product and try it. Sign up and be a WFTO volunteer or a sponsor. By the end of 2011, we aspire to have 1,000,000 switchers, 1,000,000 Ambassadors for Fair Trade.” says Zuniga.<br /><br /><center><iframe width="300" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GkxpGGelBXk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br /><br />WFTO Asia is partnering with the Philippine Climate Change Commission, AIESEC Philippines, Miss Earth Foundation, Nakamurka.com, Herword.com & Business World to make this event possible.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-85723343503301984832011-04-29T07:54:00.000-07:002011-04-29T08:52:31.947-07:00Yoga for Life: TOUCHING LIVES<div style="text-align: justify;">On Sunday, 15 May 2011, the Yoga for Life community will come together to join the world in commemorating the 28th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the Glorietta 3 Park in Ayala Center, Makati. Entitled <b><i>Yoga for Life: Touching Lives</i>, </b>it will be an afternoon that will gather yoga enthusiasts and HIV advocates alike in a candlelit sunset ceremony honoring the lives of people affected by HIV and AIDS.</div><div class="photo photo_none" style="text-align: center;"><div class="photo_img"><img class="img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216412_2007745634739_1276633650_2381147_5844986_n.jpg" style="width: 493px;" /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Yoga for Life community will take the traditional candle lighting ceremony further by making an impact in the way that it knows best - through yoga. Co-founders Charmaine Cu-Unjieng and Paulo Leonido will be joined by the country’s top yoga instructors in leading the community through yoga poses, breathing techniques and guided meditation, to demonstrate how the discipline and community of yoga help those affected by HIV. More importantly, the event aims to unite the community’s energies towards igniting the flames of HIV awareness in the general public.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event will begin with registration at 3:30 pm, and will be supported by yoga instructors Roland dela Cruz, Jeannie Javelosa, Tesa Celdran, Marilen Elizalde, Marc Carlos, Lex Bonife and Rebecca de Villa, HIV advocates from different sectors and friends of the Yoga for Life community. Proceeds from the event will support the services that Yoga for Life provides to the HIV community, which include yoga classes, meditation sessions, and HIV and life-skills counseling.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the 28th year since the International Candlelight Memorial was first held, making it the longest running community event around HIV and AIDS. It will also be the first time that the Yoga for Life community is joining the tens of thousands of people from 75 different countries in touching the lives of those affected by HIV. While the Candlelight Memorial was originally held to commemorate the lives lost to HIV, Yoga for Life chooses to empower the lives of those who continue to triumph in spite of the virus, and celebrate the HIV advocate in everyone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yoga for Life began in June 2010, and is the Philippines’ first community-based yoga program for persons living with HIV, as well as others who support them and the cause and want to experience the beauty of yoga. To date, the community has grown to over 300, as Yoga for Life continues to reach more people and build a community of advocates who, through yoga, share their energies towards living positively and living well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So come and join us as we touch lives through yoga!</div><span id="fullpost"></span>positHIVehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948930895474196804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-78607943997624526092011-04-19T03:05:00.000-07:002011-04-26T19:19:11.493-07:00LESBIANS REACT OVER CRISTY FERMIN’S STATEMENT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k1jwH5vm52FPIXdnhs_e2Xt-FIP46IEe3gz-1QFlzCz4AoiMM5vEKNlj-vevduV5JJb1FgmhRxF1l-8y2jPkQbPF400UZjCv7DgPF3uLUmLtG9mqsDyvONzz_gRtBdxU497lAVO_vOKt/s1600/Header.jpg" onblur="function anonymous(){try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597235210198359906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k1jwH5vm52FPIXdnhs_e2Xt-FIP46IEe3gz-1QFlzCz4AoiMM5vEKNlj-vevduV5JJb1FgmhRxF1l-8y2jPkQbPF400UZjCv7DgPF3uLUmLtG9mqsDyvONzz_gRtBdxU497lAVO_vOKt/s400/Header.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 155px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 369px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;">A group of lesbian lawyers reacted to the alleged malicious statement of veteran showbiz writer and tv host, Cristy Fermin, to singer/actress Aiza Seguerra, advising the latter not to talk about morality because she “lives an immoral life.”</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br />Lately, Seguerra found herself in the controversy after tweeting on the incident involving a 6-year old boy gyrating as a 'macho' dancer in TV5’s Willing Willie show hosted by Willie Revillame. On her radio program, Fermin, who is a staunch supporter of the host, defended Revillame but did not name Seguerra as the object of her malicious pitch.<br /><br />According to the founding president of Rainbow Rig</span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">hts Project, Atty. Germaine Leonin, Fermin's statement was uncalled for and bothersome, since her working environment is being dominated by gays and lesbians. The group was saddened because until now, society is still judgmental and prejudiced.<br /><br />“Being lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) is not equal to immorality. Please focus on the issue of the child abuse objectively and do not make personal attacks based on personal biases and judgments against who we are. A person’s sexuality is not the only measure of her integrity and moral fiber,” Atty. Leonin said.<br /><br />R-Rights is a non-governmental organization who is dedicated to promoting a rational discourse on the rights of LGBTs in the country.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br />“We are proud of Aiza for standing up and expressing her views. She is well within her rights and these rights have nothing to do with her sexuality. Cristy Fermin must be careful with these reckless and slanderous comments that are clearly desperate tactics to detract us from the real issue of child abuse,” Atty. Leonin said.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF_6pmL1AoN_7_zHPiP4G2JHyBhEvztm9fxO-Q4_3bHlqBRQV4UErJmOqBJzlUL2dFhlDIV_cA1XmRyD3gS02hTQz0KnWMt8oTvfYDpit4u7Wn0EciWT0utx75U2QmCO6BUETdmq4Rbt1/s1600/192098_215334175147678_205921389422290_980807_651848_o.jpg" onblur="function anonymous(){try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597235546811435138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF_6pmL1AoN_7_zHPiP4G2JHyBhEvztm9fxO-Q4_3bHlqBRQV4UErJmOqBJzlUL2dFhlDIV_cA1XmRyD3gS02hTQz0KnWMt8oTvfYDpit4u7Wn0EciWT0utx75U2QmCO6BUETdmq4Rbt1/s400/192098_215334175147678_205921389422290_980807_651848_o.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Another lesbian group, Lesbian Activism Project (LeAP) Inc., is calling the attention of Fermin to clarify her statement on the issue. LeAP, a non-gov</span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">e</span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">rnment organization (NGO) that envisions a society free from discrimination and hom</span><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">ophobia, says the TV host should first examine her own attitudes and actions, before making comments and insinuations about other people’s personal lives.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><br />Ladlad Partylist, the political organization of Filipino LGBTs, is supporting the call of the two lesbian organizations to shed light on the matter and to avoid fanning unnecessary flames in relation to the Jan-Jan issue. Ladlad emphasized that being gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender is not immoral because it symbolizes love and freedom.<br /><br />Last year, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rejected Ladlad for party-list accreditation on the grounds that the party advocates "immoral doctrines" and is a "threat to the youth". However, the Supreme Court overturned the decision and paved the way for Ladlad to run as a legitimate partylist in 2010.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-91040580051555109252011-04-13T08:07:00.000-07:002011-04-29T08:53:30.594-07:00Experience the Beauty of YOGA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Yoga for Life is the first ever community-based yoga class series, specially designed for the needs of people living with HIV, but open as well to others who support them and want to experience the beauty of yoga.<br />
<br />
For inquiries, you may contact: Charmaine: 0917 540-4247 | charmaine.cuunjieng@gmail.com<br />
Paulo: 0917 388-9658 | comradepaw@gmail.com yogaforlife.ph@gmail.com</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Photos taken by Noel Abelardo<br />
<a href="http://noelabelardo.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Yoga_For_Life">http://noelabelardo.multiply.com/photos/album/61/Yoga_For_Life</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<a href="http://thisheartisstillbeating.blogspot.com/">This Heart is Still Beating</a><br />
<br />
</div></div>positHIVehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15948930895474196804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-620093712762825386.post-5386003548105216382011-03-19T10:35:00.000-07:002011-04-26T19:27:12.334-07:00MY STORY: END DISCRIMINATION TO TRANSSEXUAL WOMEN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MXdTczyCqZIHmc4UtMo5O_NwYHeEr-BBXG3-jw44hjQ0XR5WoRcxOvE2Jy3FUeeHlW5OALErNrCfrZBJGz1okSJYIgJtszsb3c5HTH5oSoT4gTEHfo06EeXpAzlHJJS0X23cHIyC4Dzn/s1600/200357_10150162911376613_741876612_8301839_69957_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585848976121308786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MXdTczyCqZIHmc4UtMo5O_NwYHeEr-BBXG3-jw44hjQ0XR5WoRcxOvE2Jy3FUeeHlW5OALErNrCfrZBJGz1okSJYIgJtszsb3c5HTH5oSoT4gTEHfo06EeXpAzlHJJS0X23cHIyC4Dzn/s400/200357_10150162911376613_741876612_8301839_69957_n.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold;">These past months have been a hectic one for me at work and my advocacy; I reasonably lost in touch with my sister who also happens to have a demanding work as a pharmacist in a public hospital. And so last night, when at last, our energies and time met and we planned to have some indulging and pampering and consequently, we headed at WENSHA SPA CENTER last March 16 at 12 midnight. We went to the WENSHA SPA CENTER located at Timog Ave. corner Panay Ave, Quezon City.</span><br /><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />We merrily entered the spa because of its good ambiance and it was our first time to experience some indulging and pampering at midnight. Actions and occurrences were initially without abrupt turns when we availed for their full packages promo – facial and body massage or foot massage or foot spa. We were given bracelet keys for our lockers and colored rubber slippers. There was no sign that a deplorable situation will happen later.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">They were still gracious to ask us to proceed at the second floor. We then proceeded at the locker room to change. At this point we noticed the lady guard at the door, because she was looking at me nastily and maliciously and as if it wasn’t enough she also gawkily watched me change my clothes all throughout. I just ignored it and let it pass even if I knew I was the only one receiving her odd and awkward stares.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">I then proceeded to the facial room and while my sister went on to have her body massage. An hour later, I was soothed after my facial treatment which was excellently done by my kind facial therapist, Angel. My sister also arrived at the facial room to have hers. I told Angel and my sister that I needed to go first to my locker before proceeding to my body massage. I had to get some money for tip. Suddenly, my dear sister followed me and she seemed agitated. I asked her what’s wrong. She swiftly whispered that Angel had told her that there’s a problem because the lady guard and another staff informed her that I cannot have my body massage in the female section but instead I will be transferred to the male section. I felt so hurt and turned dazed and disoriented for a moment. My dear sister held my hands and only then that I regained my focus. I quickly went back to the facial room and conversed to Angel to get the whole story. The apologetic, accommodating and kind Angel told me that the lady guard had informed her that I cannot be provided service in the female section because I will be sharing a room with other biological women and they might feel uncomfortable. I also found out that some staff didn’t want me to be there, but rather at the male section. Embarrassed, capsized and distressed, I held back my tears and didn’t want to show any weakness. I remained gallant and unaffected and said my piece: “This is discrimination. I am a transsexual woman and I deserve to avail of the services that I paid in this area. It will be very unpleasant for me and the men if you will insist for me to transfer. Besides you cannot assume anything unless one of the clients has already complained. “<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">The poor Angel was constantly apologetic and tried to pacify me by saying, “<em>Ewan ko sa kanila ma’am, sorry po talaga. Retokada or naopera na daw po ba kayo? But if my vagina na po kayo ay sige po. Okay lang po ba kasi magtatanggal kayo lahat.” </em>(I don’t know what’s wrong with them ma’am. I am really sorry. They were asking if you have undergone any operation, but if you have vagina then it will be fine. Would it just be okay for you to take off everything?) The entire course of the conversation and questions was so humiliating and degrading so I told Angel that I will not push through with the body massage anymore and I will just settle for the foot massage. I was still hurting and starting to feel so depressed even if Angel accompanied me to the common foot massage section and got an equally kind massage therapist for me. Her name is Monet and I told her what happened. “<em>Kaya pala ako pinaki-usapan ni Angel. Grabe naman sila ma’am</em>”, she said. (That’s probably why Angel talked to me, they are so inconsiderate)<em>. </em>I retorted back by saying that I felt bad and that they cannot do this to me. I’m an officer of Ladlad Partylist and this will definitely cause you in trouble. In my thoughts, I didn’t want to create a commotion because it might work against my part, so I remained composed, calm and collected. However, while having my foot massage, I couldn’t any longer take pleasure into it and I wanted to finish it. The violation already sank in my mind and heart. The feeling of unwanted and disrespect pervaded my system.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">After that incident, I asked the receptionist, She Viray if I can talk to the manager. She asked if there was a problem. I narrated to her what happened upstairs. Little did I know that she is aware of what’s happening. She even rudely told me that she didn’t know I was a transsexual woman and have she known she will not allow me. She then continued by saying that the manager is not around. Nonetheless, she called the supervisor on duty, Mr. Elmer Belarmino, who is also a gay man. I was hoping that he will understand me better but I was mistaken. He told me that when they called his attention about my situation, he allowed it anyway for the reason that I was already there at the female section. I calmly told him that the lady guard and some staff have already offended me by their attempt to refuse me in the female area and as well to their insensitive questions.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">However, Mr. Belarmino’s concept of transsexualism is someone whose organ is “cut-off” or “naopera” na, in which I informed him that he is using wrong, selective definitions and terms. In Filipino, I lectured him, “transsexual women are those who identify themselves as women and they may choose to express it in different nuances. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they have to undergo surgery. That is our right or your right Mr. Belarmino – to determine your own gender and live by it. I am the chairperson of Ladlad Partylist and we are looking after the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. If you can do this to me then how about those who cannot fight and assert for their rights? <em>Bawal po ang pagtrato ninyo sa amin. Ito po ay diskriminasyon</em>. (You don’t treat us well. This is simply discrimination.)” To my surprise, his response was way out of context. “<em>Nakita ko nga sa TV yung sa UP, ano yun talagang naopera na?</em>” (Yes, I’ve watched the UP issue in the television, but what it is? Has the person really undergone operation?). I already felt frustrated and notified him that the UP student he saw is an ally and a sister. I related to him that the UP incident is the same to what happened to me in their spa center.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">I dig deeper and asked him if they have a policy against transsexual women. He said there was none, only that they have a list of 10 policies of those that they will prohibit inside the spa center and maybe we are like number 11 but there is no written rule. It stunned me when he compared me to a drunkard being allowed to the spa center and then the other clients might complain. I told him that it is improper to compare me to a drunkard because I am not one. It is also more unacceptable to compare transsexual women to a drunkard.<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">He further said that he cannot beat the lady guard but can only report the incident. I told him that I don’t wish to harm anyone. All I wanted is that for them especially the lady guard and staff to be more sensitive and aware of people like us rather than offending us or refusing us of services. I also held him and said: “transsexual women like me are here not to steal a look to other women or with a malevolent purpose, but to simply relax and pamper ourselves just like any human being does. Please trust me on this one, Elmer. We are transsexual women living like any biological women. We live, behave, think and feel like a woman. ” I felt so exasperated and annoyed that our discussion is going nowhere. I then bid goodbye, gave my calling card and thank him for his time and that I will take some actions to this one.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">I felt relieved somehow that I was able to gather my temerity and affirm my rights. I tried to be calm and unruffled because I wanted to deliver my message well. I always believe that disagreements can always be discussed by not exchanging in a heated and angrily manner. I don’t also want to berate other people just to declare my rights.<br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">I have been exposed to discrimination in the past and no one will ever get used to it. Every time I encounter discrimination, harassment or prejudice it weakens my dignity and sense of self-worth. I am glad that my dear sister was there to help me appease myself despite of the bigotry. She even intimated to me that she already saw and felt the agony and damage one has to experience when discriminated. She even passionately shared this sad episode to my nieces. My parents and family continue to accept, respect, recognize, and love me as their daughter and sister and I will not allow anybody to overthrow it all.</span></div><div face="arial" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div face="arial" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">The assailment of transsexual women in our community is an indication that discrimination is still very rampant. It is also a clear indication that in the LGBT community -- the transgender community is by far the most assaulted and challenged. Our hands are tied because of the absence of an anti-discrimination law and gender recognition law as well.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5