The Wheel and Axle

Meme Credits: Change Scamming. Also, he should quit politics, too, and just go away.

A recent article from Esquire Philippines, published the day before the Pacquiao/Horn boxing match, posits that Manny Pacquiao still deserves our respect, at least respect for him as a boxer if not as a politician or whatever new persona he’s decided to pursue (preacher? basketball player? who knows what’s next?).

Perhaps if this were the year 2008 and Pacquiao still had not said and done all the things he has managed to say and do in the last few years.

But alas, it is 2017, and we cannot discount everything that Pacquiao has contributed (or not contributed) to our country’s socio-political climate since then. We cannot discuss him in a vacuum when the cultural discourse surrounding him has radically changed because of his own appalling words and actions.

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This Thai commercial I watched a few months ago still has me cracking up. That was quite a… climax. It would’ve even more hilarious if they’d used a sperm whale instead.

TGIF! Enjoy the coming weekend. We’re halfway through 2017, damn.

Itaguyod!

Yesterday was Metro Manila’s Pride March 2017.

The LGBT community converged in Marikina’s Plaza De Los Alcaldes, where the fabulous organizers of this year’s event had prepared a great pre-march program – which included an appearance by one of our strongest allies, Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Then, underneath the afternoon post-summer heat, we marched and held aloft our pride for who we are and held aloft our resolve to fight for what we believe in: fundamental equal rights for all.

Let the beauty of solidarity, togetherness, and sense of community that we captured through our cameras speak for itself.

This is Us.

This is Pride.

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#heretogether

Photo Credits: Metro Manila Pride

This is an unofficial Philippines tourism ad by Creatives of Manila.

It’s way better than some of the more recent botched efforts by the official channels, eh?

 The Philippines: definitely still more fun. Definitely hard to not fall in love with us.

This year’s logo.

One week to go before Metro Manila’s Pride March!

Last year, we cried Let Love In! This year, we rally further as we ensure we are #HereTogether, a very apt theme to remind us that – despite having diverse backgrounds even within the LGBT community – we are all in this together. United, we shall overcome! Our differences will not divide us.

2017 Metro Manila Pride will be historic as it will be held in Marikina for the first time. The lovely city of Marikina is one of the most gay-friendly places in the country. I should know; I’m frequently there because some of my besties are Mariqueños. It’s about time that the local LGBT community branch out and move away from its comfort zones to see the other places where we can wave our flag proudly and explore new ground.

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Pietro, dear darling Pietro, has posted the third video of his trip to the Philippines. While the first two videos focused on Palawan, this time he shares his Cebu and Bohol trips.

Oh, man. Talk about a beautiful view.

Will he ever stop being so adorably delightful? I’m guessing never.

I first visited Apo Island, a popular no-frills destination especially for divers, back in November 2012 with AJ.

It was a morning side trip during our vacation in Zamboanguita just outside Dumaguete. Thalatta, the resort we stayed in, faced Apo Island and is about a half hour boat ride away. That 2012 Apo trip was memorable; we nearly missed the famed pawikan (sea turtles) because our boatman was late and you had to get there really early to witness these lovely creatures. Thankfully, we still caught up with a few and snorkelled beside them (no touching allowed).

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On Tuesday morning, we woke up before the crack of dawn for the busy day ahead. It was great that we were staying in U Pension House, a convenient and recommended hostel across Silliman, as it afforded us quick access to rides in the wee hours of the morning.

Our first stop was Bais City, where a pre-arranged boat ride with a local would bring us to the heart of Tañon Strait, the strip of water that separates Negros from Cebu Island. What we wanted to see were the popular sandbar of Manjuyod as well as dolphins in the wild. The former is easy, while the latter can be random. We were lucky to have caught the latter early in the day.

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That’s Siquijor in the backdrop.

I have been to Dumaguete twice before.

The first was in 2010 with Bj and Norlan as we did a twin trip of Dumaguete and Siquijor. In Dumaguete, we stayed in Hotel Nicanor and explored the city to see Rizal Boulevard, Silliman University, and the famed Dumaguete Belfry. We also did a side trip to Lake Balinsasayao, which lies within the municipalities of San Jose, Sibulan, and Valencia and about an hour from Dumaguete. In Siquijor, which deserves a separate article on its own, we stayed in Coco Grove Beach Resort (highly recommended) and went around the island to see Cambugahay Falls, Lazi Church, and the gargantuan and fascinating balete tree.

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