The RAINBOW Cup

The Rainbow:

Witnessing a rainbow as a child was a beautiful sight to see. I remember seeing it through glass window blades, a drinking glass with design, after the rain and even from the T.V. The rainbow was something that made me smile of how such a wonderful bow comes out from simple things. Growing up and learning science, a rainbow comes out from a prism. I really don't want to go technical about it but  this would be as far as I want to go (I'm sure you get my point). A very simple bow with colors that make a simple spectacle to see. 

During my school days, I was a bit exposed to the visual arts. My sister was part of the Art Club in school and I can say that she has the skills of a visual artist. I was a witness to some basic and simple art works that she would be making. The club would even hold exhibits of the creations of its members in school. Viewing them like a pro, I would appreciate the creations and how each "artist" would interpret the picture with the shapes, lines and colors it show. 

Then, I noticed one style in making art: the rainbow. It was a very simple style of art but seemed to be very mature, complicated and well-thought-of. The art uses patterns of lines and curves which intersect and form a mesh. Each space between the lines are then filled with colors from the rainbow. Following the R O Y G B I V pattern, the finished creation would look like a stained glass in rainbow color. A very simple but beautiful work of art.  

Many things are represented by a rainbow; one of such is the LGBT social group. I really don't know why the rainbow represents this group but I'm sure that this group bring the same happiness to anyone who sees a rainbow. 

A few days ago, a person asked me about my thoughts on the support the LGBT group gets in the country and how I look at things in terms of social equality. It was a very interesting topic which made me decide to write this blog. 

The LGBT group was never new to me. I have relatives who are members of it and are very much happy with the lives that they live. Today, the party list "Ang Ladlad" asks for the support of many for the group's voice to be heard in congress. They aim for equality, promote and protect the rights of people that belong to the LGBT social group and of course, be a significant voice in a country full of diverse and rich culture.

My stand:

I think it is wonderful to see people unite for a common cause specially if it brings social issues to the table. I have friends who have been discriminated or judged according to their sexual orientation. They have been bullied and not treated equally by people who are close minded and think that being "gay" is taboo. Hearing stories of such would make me feel bad. Gay people are just as the same as everyone. They have the capacity to love and be loved. It is not a sickness nor an abnormality. They are normal people living and surviving life like everyone else.

For me, the groups' aim is just as the same with the others. They want to be heard, respected, supported and be treated like the same way others are. It is amazing to see how the group has united people to fight for a sector that has been in the shadows. It is timely that this has happen and I do support the mission of the group. 

The Cup:

That conversation made me realize that we are all living and surviving on the same world. There are common beliefs and practices that change as the world continues to live. With each change, we adapt to survive. 

The Mantra: "We are all here to take care of each other. If you can't do that, just don't hurt them."

To know more about the Ladlad Partylist, you can visit this link: http://ladladpartylist.blogspot.com/. 

Cyber Freedom - at risk?

Living away from my home country which is 4290 miles far is hard. Lucky for me that I am an OFW in the era where the internet is very important and accessible. Even better that my family and friends has complete access to the same things I have access with. It brought the homesickness to a lower level with the advent of e-mail, video calling and social networks. I must admit that my day won't be complete if I would not check my social network accounts. Lets just say that it somehow grew as part of my routine and life specially here abroad. These networks connect me to my family and friends back home and even to the other parts of the world. 

During the past days, I have noticed that my friends in the Philippines were so into the issue of passing the Cyber Crime law. As what I have read from their posts and social network accounts, the law would somehow violate and stop one's freedom of expression specifically in the world wide web. Other netizens started a movement to protest and even stop the law from being approved by the President. According to them, once it will be approved, everything in the internet will change and freedom will never be achieved. 

In total nohesty,I haven't read the totality of this Republic Act 10175. Although it has been in the news and such, I never had enough information to know what are the Pros and Cons in passing this law. All the information I know comes from the posts, tweets and statuses of my social community. 

Many are now using the BLACK BLANK PICTURE as their profile or display photo in their social networking accounts as a sign of protest in passing the law. Some even created pictures that many have shared through the net in support of the protest. What struck me most is the violent, foul and offensive thoughts and words that people are expressing regarding their disgust of this R.A. 10175.  It made me smirk and think about what these people really have in mind regarding the law. It made me recall the etiquette and manners that my parents, school and friends shared whenever some issues would arise. What made them react this way? Are they justified?

With what I know, R.A. 10175 talks about the protection of a citizen against organized crime done using the internet. It covers pornography, large scale swindling, human trafficking and libel. These are the strongest points of the law which for me is very reasonable and useful during this time. The punishment for violating this law can lead to 6-12 years of imprisonment and other fees.  Like I said, I have not read everything about this law and what it covers. I am stating what I know and I stand corrected to any inaccurate information I have mentioned above regarding the law 

As a netizen, I think the law covers a great deal of protection to everyone. In this age of identity-theft, black mail and cyber bullying, R.A. 10175 serves as the ace for those who are abused in the realms of the world wide web; where everything and anything is possible and can be done. 

It's downside: the unclear provisions of the law and the punishment that follows for any specific violation. To what I have read, the Cyber Crime law has a heavier punishment than Sexual Harassment which I think is a bit uneven and made me unsure.

With all these in mind, I still have full confidence to the freedom of all netizens in the Philippines. I am sure that the government will do its best to make this law equal to all. The internet is public domain but still as a citizen, there are limitations and laws to all that freedom, specially to those who know that they are using it the wrong way. 

To my fellow netizens, let us be open and be educated about this R.A. 10175. I am sure that the government is open to talk to us and listen to what we think about this law. She is not deaf and blind. Democracy is forever alive and will never be dead in our country. We have to believe in each other's capacity to push our country upward and live the days that will prove that the Filipino is a great race and our country is a great nation. All the bashing and bad mouthing won't help. The sarcasm, finger-pointing and foul-offensive opinions won't bring us somewhere closer to this "Great Nation" idea. 

Let us all open our ears and eyes on what is really happening to what was once a great nation. We are whining yet unsure if we have done our part of make this nation great. We still have many issues to tackle but have you done your part to lessen corruption? Have you promoted to save our country from pollution? Were you able to purchase and praise the local products that we create? Have you been a very good citizen to fight this law with such foul, offensive and barbaric reactions? Please stop blaming the government for every misfortune that happens to you. I am not clean and I am not a perfect citizen. But is it right to use these reasons to bad mouth the government? To what I believe, the Government is as good as its people; and the people is as good as its Government. 

I don't think our freedom is at risk with this Cyber Crime law. React the right way and say it like a proper Filipino would. I am sure that it would be different but change is inevitable. I know we can adapt to this change. 

Hey, WE ARE FILIPINOS! WE ARE EVER ADAPTIVE AND RESILIENT. WE CAN DO THIS!  

Just take a chill-pill and join me sip a cup of this aromatic, Camomile tea.

:)