The different color of love

CEBU, Philippines - Red symbolizes many things. The most common interpretation is love and passions that come with it – anger, war and rage. However, the stage play Berde gave love a different color. According to its tagline, “Hindi lang pula ang kulay ng pag-ibig” (Red is not the only color of love).

Cast of Berde

Berde is Filipino for green, a combination of yellow and blue and the compliment of red. It is a subtle yet striking color. For the first few minutes of the show, the connection between the title of the play and its message seemed to be a blur. However, the colors red, blue and yellow were at par in the different scenes of the play. It was only towards the end when green light flooded the stage. Hence, the title Berde.

Staged last August 4 at the CAP theater, the play changed viewer’s perception of relationships as it featured a story of a boy who was struggling with his sexual identity. He also wanted the acceptance of his father, mother and society.

It is said that relationships have changed these days. Edwin, the main character played by Jan Alife Bartolome, believed in this ideology so much. It was his belief that men can fall in love with men and women can do the same with fellow women. For him, love’s boundaries are not limited to that of a man and woman.

However, his father, Arman, played by Christopher Lingao, disagreed with this silliness. As an army captain, he wanted to take care of his reputation of being a man. A gay son would only destroy it. For him, a normal relationship was between a man and a woman, not between people of the same sex. That is why he disowned his son Edwin. Arman thought his son had a disease or a psychological disorder.

On the other hand, Edwin’s mother, Charo, accepted what her son was. Played by Andrea Pateña, Charo was submissive to her husband but permissive with her son. Her secret agenda only led her to lose the trust of the two people whom she held dear.

The love story of Edwin and his partner, Butch, as portrayed by Clint John Solante mirrored how society could not accept another minority. As events in the story did not turn out right, it proved that love conquers all, even if it is not of the color red.

It is true that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has been calling on their rights to be heard, to have a relationship with one another out in the open and to be accepted by society. The sad reality of gender obscurity and stereotyping has driven the members of this community into continued hiding.

Berde has indeed served its purpose of sharing the message of ending gender discrimination to the people through theater and Focus productions continues to strive for more plays that address the concerns of the unheard.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on September 5, 2012

Paperless, CJ said

A few weeks ago, the President of the Philippines swore into public duty the new Chief Justice. One who said to expect a more tech-savvy supreme court.

She is Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno and her appointment is no shocker.

She graduated as valedictorian at the University of the Philippines (UP) School of Law in 1984. She then proceeded for a master’s degree at UP School of Economics with Master of Arts in Economics. Not only that, she completed another master’s degree at the University of Michigan with Master of Laws.

Sereno is the first lady Chief Justice and the youngest ever appointed. She is also brave enough to have her SALN disclosed, a move made to regain the trust of the people in the judiciary.

The environment is also her concern as she wants a paperless court. “We have to do our share in minimizing the amount of trees cut down due to more paper demand,” she said.

Noting that the Philippines is flood prone and frequently visited by typhoons, less paper would mean more trees to act on rain water. It is also to save the documents of the Supreme Court when it will be (knock on wood) flooded, sooner or later.

This move would mean a digitalized system for all the documents of the judiciary.

All necessary documents vital to the operation of the judiciary would be accessed via a computing device. No more issues on paper. This cuts off the heap of book-like cases sitting on their desks day after day waiting to be decided on.

Although she is right with her environmental concern, this type of system may also flop.

If we think of it, there is no system yet. We are lucky enough to have our Department of Science and Technology scholars study the sciences and help the country. Many of the students are on information technology programs. Yet, how sure can we be that their careers would be in line with their course if they are not even guaranteed a job after graduation? Who makes the system, another import perhaps?

Nowadays, people who want to get what they want, get it no matter what. When the system changes, it becomes more vulnerable to unrestricted access and even to viruses which may corrupt the whole system. The files may bid a goodbye.

A public office takes care of the welfare of the people. Some of its information may be classified as confidential. A leak or two may destroy what they have been trying to regain – the trust of the people. Well, there may be exceptional cases when pegged with a very good security feature.

Lastly, it is not healthy. Looking the computer screen all day trying to decide on whether or not to accuse or acquit a person is a tough job. This does not only concern the eyes but the muscles as well. Studies show that people who sit in front of the computer for how many hours tend to be prone to illnesses and muscle pain. We wouldn’t want our justices and the new chief justice in pain.

For some there is hope for this type of change. According to Agusan del Sur Vice Governor Santiago Cane Jr., “paperless courts is very doable” who implemented this scheme in his local unit.

But whatever the verdict, the work to be done is huge.

It is now Sereno’s call to push through with her ideas and hopes for a new Supreme Court. If this move deems to be successful disregarding the factors stated above, then it is job well done. But then again, what happens to those in the bottom of the hierarchy in the judiciary?

Send your blessings down, please.

One goal

“Four teams, one goal, one epic Olympics,” so goes the 2012 University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu intramurals slogan.

Today marks the most awaited week for most of the iskolars ng bayan. Considering the national university’s nature of all study and almost no play, this is finally a time to relax, have fun, play games and cheer for one another.

But what is the goal?

Is it to win, to bag the most of number of medals and trophies then show off to the world? Is it to claim that your own hard work and effort paid off with pride? Well, one could also consider the words sportsmanship and camaraderie. They’re always heard of during the time of the games. Include the word unity too; they say it’s about getting to know one another.

If this is so, then unnecessary jeering, hooting and even booing does not belong to the arena.

There are even situations of hitting each other with dirty words and nasty statements on social media sites. This trend called Trash talk continues to contaminate the portals of the internet.

I overheard a professor say, “What is the purpose of these contests? You say it is to unite, but it is only creating a division amongst us.”

I used to define intramurals as the time to meet new friends and take these memories with you as you advance your skill in meets outside school. It is the moment to know your fellow students and their talents. I imagine it as the biggest acquaintance party there is.

Sadly, this has become an avenue for the talented to be overshadowed by those in power. What used to be a fun and free spirited week is now a mini-vacation for some. It is not unusual for students to return to their respective provinces when the intramurals come. Those that remain are either athletes or those who cannot afford a ticket back home. Die hard intramural fans excluded, of course.

The purpose to unite is pointless, except for those who remain to participate.

The Olympic rings of five different colors symbolize the five continents of the world and how the games would unite them. And it did.

The same goes for every contest. There may be losers and winners but the goal remains, to unite not only the team, but the participants of the event, as well. Tears may be shed because of defeat, roars maybe heard because of victory but the bond gained from the competition cannot be replaced, or even paid for. Experience is what matters, to unite is the goal.

And so for every athlete who would raise their right hand and recite the oath of sportsmanship, ever let it be that these are not only words parroted after the one with the microphone. I hope that whatever is said is taken to heart and seriously thought of for the sake of the games.

As the games open, may it remind us of the one goal of uniting one another.  

It is amazing how an organized body of young people can unite through sports.  It starts here and then towards the building of the next generation’s nation. This dream is far too realistic but with a springboard of a number of sporting events in every university, this is not too far to reach.

Today is the day where all efforts will be acknowledged and seen. Four teams, one goal, and one epic Olympics set to blaze today. Let the games begin! Happy Intramurals, UP Cebu!

A different kind of fix

CEBU, Philippines - Imagine dark chocolate oozing down an ice cream's slope, placed in a blender and topped with rock salt and cheese. Yes, this is no joke. It's a hit beverage offered to you by Bubble Tea Station at the Banilad Town Centre (BTC) that defied the standards of taste.

The Bubble Tea Station does not only offer milk tea with pearls at the bottom, they also offer specialties that are sure to rock one's taste buds. In fact, their dark chocolate rock salt and cheese specialty is sought after. It is a unique one-of-a-kind drink.

The first ring of the word chocolate tickled my mind. Who would not die for chocolate? But the thought of salt plus cheese atop the glorious beverage sounded like a disaster. True enough, the outcome looked like a fight of colors in a cup. A huge blob of black lay at the bottom of the cup while the dark chocolate concoction filled it. Melted cheese was poured followed by a dash of rock salt. It was a beverage which I have never seen.

Yet, a quick sip changed everything.

Bubble Tea Station's Dark Chocolate Rock Salt and Cheese tasted better than a chocolate drink. It smelled like cheese was smeared all over a bar of dark chocolate. A zesty feel was its signature aftertaste. The lines of saltiness and sweetness met in a must-try beverage for chocolate lovers out there!

The Dark Chocolate specialty comes in a regular cup which costs P85. If you wish to have pearls, you add P15. Although the price may not be that friendly, every sip is worth your peso.

The Bubble Tea Station is just after the main entrance. Most of the people take their bubble teas out but for those who wish to chill while enjoying their bubble tea, tables and chairs are available.

Aside from the dark chocolate rock salt and tea speciality, Bubble Tea house also offers a healthier alternative to the conventional milk tea - Yakult. Yes, two bottles of Yakult and a spoonful of your chosen syrup shaken in a cup. Your childhood drink in your lunch box is now the drink of the town.

Every sip stirs up a memory from a childhood molded by Yakult. The Lemon Yakult is their best seller but there are other fruit choices such as grapefruit and passion fruit, all citrus fruits to compliment Yakult's unique taste.

To add more flavor and texture, extras are available to be added to your drink such as pearls, egg pudding, coffee jelly and a lot more. You're sure to enjoy your mixing and matching moment.

The milk tea craze is an alternative to the typical coffee fix. But in Bubble Tea Station, it is more than an alternative. It is a beverage statement that'll rock your taste buds away. (FREEMAN)

**Published in the Freeman Newspaper on August 21, 2012

Keep the crocodile out

The world’s largest captive crocodile just got lucky. He will be given P1 million by no other than Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s South District. He says, “it’s a matter of principle,” noting that Malacañang is bullying the local government unit.

Lolong, the crocodile captured in the Agusan Marsh in September last year, is being kept in a customized pen as of this writing. There has been a demand from national authority to transfer him to the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. This environment would be totally different from the home he knows now. The Bunawan Ecopark and Research Center, which houses the crocodile, is a big help to the community since it is a source of jobs and other means of livelihood.

The P1 million will come from Osmeña’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). He said no law prohibits a congressman from allocating his PDAF for an area outside his district. He pulled out funding to projects in his district since they were opposed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

While Tomas’ intention may be good, he has said too much.

We all know about his plans of running as Cebu’s mayor for the 2013 elections. Is this part of his advocacy to preserve the environment? Or is it just another gimmick to be publicized? Sure, the public already knows his intentions, why make things any worse? If this is his assumed call to the protection of the ecology, then put words into action, sir. The P1 million, which is about to be released for Lolong is nothing compared to your property and assets. We won’t even count the number of years you were in service for the Cebuanos and the Visayans.

Whatever clash he has against Mayor Rama, Osmeña should keep the crocodile out of it. Let’s be adult professionals who do not rub dirt on each other and then play the blame game. A genuine heart, which cares for the animal, does not need to mention how and why it has to be given aid.

Well, it was a very good public statement indeed - disclosing his charity work to the media and using the money of the people for his publicity.  

Poor Lolong, he is in the middle of a crossfire not knowing what is fate would be. It is better to let him stay in a place he calls home. If Osmeña’s plan pushes through, Lolong will be keeping his home and we are bound to a mayoral candidate who will be proud of his community work.

We just hope the “principle” he is talking about is not his scheme to winning elections.

Please, keep the crocodile out of your mess. He is just as innocent as any ordinary crocodile can be despite his international recognition.

**Published in the Freeman Newspaper on August 21, 2012