Nagtatayugan

I was in Pampanga last week to visit my friend since he was assigned there to train people. Dahil free lodging naman, 2 of my girl friends grabbed the opportunity to see the beautiful Angeles City. HOMAYGASH! Malinis, malamig ang klima at masasarap ang pagkain sa karinderya. Madami pa ang serving! The best ang view from the low-rise hotel we stayed at. Kita ang Mount Arayat at walang nagtatayugang gusali. The facade of Holy Rosary Parish is one of the best na nakita ko. They maintained the Spanish-era structure. Bongga din ang Pamintuan Mansion at marami kang matututunan. We also tried 7 Beans at yummy ang Americano coffee nila.

Holy Rosary Parish

Pamintuan Mansion

Americano coffee at 7 Beans

Ano pa nga ba ang ginagawa ng mga magkakaibigan kundi ang walang-patumanggang kwentuhan at isa sa napag-usapan ay ang pagbabalik ni Sabel Gonzales. Nito lang kasi ay nakuhanan siya ng litrato sa isang party na nakadamit pambabae. If you remember early this year, pasavogue ang kanyang announcement na siya na muli si Mark Estephen Oblero. Here's the video...

Mga ateng, Im gonna give you my unedited opinion on this matter. As a trans woman like her, I find the video disturbing. Isa-isahin natin ang mga kuda niya:

1. He decided to follow Jesus fully and realized that he's a sinner.

Jesus knows that we are all sinners, whether you are a member of the LGBT+ community or straight ka. Your gender identity does not make you a sinner. 

2. There is still a chance to have a changed life.

Hangga't humihinga tayo, may pag-asa talagang mabago ang buhay. Nasa atin na lang 'yun kung paano gagawin. But changing your gender identity to what the religion dictates does not count. 

3. I found my identity thru Jesus Christ.

Walang ibang nakakaalam kung sino ka kundi ang sarili mo. Kung alam mong mahal ka ng Diyos at mahal mo siya, tatanggapin ka niya kahit ano ka pa man. What matters in heaven is 'yung kabutihan mo dito sa mundo. Don't be harsh to yourself. Be you. Ganyan!

4. The old has gone; behold, the new has come.

Which does not apply to one's gender identity. My interpretation on the Bible verse is kung naging masama kang tao dati at pinili mong magbago para sa kabutihan. Kasamaan does not equate to being an LGBT+ member same with kabutihan being straight.

Nagsulputan ang iba't ibang relihiyon ngayon at kanya-kanyang paraan upang humikayat ng mga miyembro. We are free to choose. Just make sure you balance everything - spiritual, mental, physical, financial and your emotions. Find a religion that will love you for who you are and will help you become a better person, but don't let it dictate on how you will live your life. Use their learnings as a guide. After all, hiram lang ang buhay natin at sure na gusto ng Panginoon na mabuhay tayo nang masaya at mabuting tao.