My story is quite funny. Or at least I think it is. It's the opposite of the usual stories where people discover their sexuality.

I identified as a lesbian at 12. But then I realized I was attracted to men too at 18. But somehow using the terms for these felt like being in someone else's skin. I didn't fit into an identity, and for a while I was confused. So, I called myself queer.

Then an actress in a lesbian vampire webseries (it's called Carmilla, by the way, and all 3 seasons are on Youtube for free) came out as pansexual. She said she didn't see gender and instead fell in love with people's souls.

Nothing resonated with me as a gay woman the way that did. Ever. 

Sexuality is a spectrum, and I've never believed it to be something that's fixed. But labels provide little niches of acceptance in a community where some of its own members hate each other. Biphobia and transphobia exist in the LGBT community, and sometimes your worst enemies are really your own peers.

The word "pansexual" makes me feel safe. It tells me my feelings and attraction towards the different orientations and identities is valid. I've loved ciswomen and transwomen and transmen and bisexuals and straights. The word "pansexual" tells me, "Hey, there's a place for that; there are people like you, too."

Now I call myself pansexual, and I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin. There's something freeing about having a single word define exactly what you are. I know it's cool to hate labels and wave that around like it's a personality trait, but the word "pansexual" feels like the navigator that brought me to where I was always meant to be. 

I started at the gayest end of the spectrum and slowly found my way home. And that's the story of how I discovered my sexuality in reverse.

Some people would ask me: "Why not just identify as bisexual? That's pretty much the same thing, right?" 

It's not. For me, identifying as bisexual would be a rejection of my attraction to all the genders – male, female, and non-binary – so I tell them, "No, I'm pansexual," and I assert my truth.

Sometimes, though, I still find myself introducing myself as a lesbian because it's easier. I wouldn't have to deal with follow-up questions and having to explain the concept of gender and sexual attraction. I've realized, though, how inimical that can be to the community, how such a small thing can be counterproductive to the cause and defeat all that we've been fighting for: acceptance, recognition, and equality.

I realized the little lies about my sexuality also stem from the part of myself that still thinks this would be easier if I was just attracted to one specific gender, and that I'm still probably just confused. I've spent years trying to reject that part of me, trying to make myself easier to swallow for society. 

But now I'm trying to shake off the habit because it doesn't make sense to do that. What's the point in being an out and proud gay woman only to hide under another sexuality because it's easier for the world to understand?

I think of the younger kids who are confused, who are constantly told that gay is okay, or to just make up their minds about who they're attracted to because it's not normal to be attracted to more than one gender.

I have to come out as pansexual for them, for their sake, so that they find a place where they belong too, so that they can find their way home. – Rappler.com

 Janelle Manzano is a full-time law student, uses she/her pronouns, and is pansexual. When she's not drowning in readings, she paints and writes prose or poetry.

MANILA, Philippines – With #CommutersNaman at the spotlight, around 15 participants joined the “Move Huddle: How do commuters reimagine EDSA?” on Saturday, August 31 to discuss possible solutions following the crisis on public transportation.

The huddle was organized by MovePH, the civic engagement arm of Rappler, in partnership with transport advocacy group AltMobility and Right of Way. 

Discussing ideas on how to make Metro Manila liveable, Ira Cruz of AltMobility emphasized the importance of involving commuters and their interest when crafting policies that would help address the pressing problem on transportation. 

"For us to be able to build better cities for ourselves, we all need to pitch in," Cruz said, stressing that the solution should not just be restricted to transportation experts but should be considered as a shared responsibility of the community. (READ: After MMDA’s faulty policy, netizens suggest ‘solutions’ to Metro Manila traffic) 

“This is where we really need to focus all our efforts. This is why as a group, we've decided to put what we know as experts, and urban transport practitioners into solving this issue...We're all professional commuters, we're all professional pedestrians, bikers. We know what we need but we can’t do it alone,” Cruz added.

Cruz also mentioned that 80% of road users are commuters while only 20% of the road space is allocated for the 80% of commuters. For him, prioritizing cars reduces mobility and lowers the quality of public transportation as observed nowadays. 

“There is a failure in the system. Cars occupy 80% of the road space but move only 20% of the population. We’re not focusing on the ones who really need it the most,” Cruz emphasized citing the need to address people’s car-centric point of view.

How's your commute? 

Participants of the huddle echoed Cruz's claim by describing their experience as a commuter in Metro Manila.

“Terrible! it's human rights violation, it's a disservice to people. It's hell. It's a health hazard,” Regina Dy Seng expressed as she recalled the congestion in buses and trains that exposed commuters to harm. 

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) student Rob Julian Maghinang lamented that the time he spends to endure traffic could have been used to do other productive things instead. 

“I could've used that to review my subjects, prepare for an exam, read more books yet I'm there sitting, staring at nowhere, waiting for the bus to move. And I'm just wasting my time. It makes me dizzy to be reading while the bus is moving,” Maghinang said. 

He also criticized the MMDA policy on the provincial bus ban that puts the commuters from the provinces at a disadvantage more than anyone else. 

"What frustrates me is not just the traffic but how the government tackles or approach this issue. It lacks common sense,” he added.

On August 7, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implemented the yellow lane policy to which netizens criticized this policy as “anti-poor” after a photo – showing the bus gridlock barely moving in stark contrast to the lane for private vehicles which was almost empty, gained traction online.  

Recently, MMDA said it would study the feasibility of a proposal to make EDSA a one-way road. On the other hand, lawmakers have been making various proposals to decongest EDSA, from bike lanes and elevated walkways to parking bans. 

How might we? 

The activity went beyond mere description of what the commuters' frustrations on traffic were.

Through the huddle, the issues faced by commuters were identified and clustered. Most of the issues are anchored on awareness, behavior change, government policy and commuters’ participation. 

Participants of the huddle were grouped into these 4 clustered problems and asked to craft a question of 'how might we?' that would help them brainstorm ideas to solve the problem. 

To raise awareness on alternative mobility, one group proposed using social media as a tool and connecting with the stakeholders, especially the students, local government units (LGUs) and other government officials. Through this network, an efficient mode of transportation and mobility can be promoted. 

Vince Lazatin of Right of Way also suggested the use of an app that would allow commuters to rate their commuting experience. 

“You are in a bus or jeep, you take down the license plate, the vehicle or ID number of particular vehicles. And then you rate it, you say it’s clean or dirty.  Bus driver is good, inconsiderate. Whatever. We need to collect data about how the commutes are because once we have this data, we can use it for policy reform,” Lazatin expressed. 

Meanwhile, seeing the need to institutionalize commuter acceptability in feasibility studies, another group pitched that companies should shift their corporate service responsibilities towards commuters. 

“What they can do is to adopt that one train and rehabilitate with the premise that they could put all their advertistments saying hey, we rebuilt this for you, we are moving you through our initiatives,” Julius Dalay of Commuters of the Philippines said. 

That way, more people and companies will be inspired to take up the challenge and adopt more trains to rehabilitate. 

Another idea that the other group presented focused on tactical urbanism as a way to encourage commuters and advocates to initiate low-cost changes in the cities to improve mobility. 

“So, what we were thinking of doing includes painting speed limit on the road, putting bike infrastructure to indicate that there's bike lane there, putting signages as simple as that. Because we do not have these things,” Keisha Mayuga of University of the Philippines (UP) Bike shared, expressing how the tactic is both scalable and replicable. 

She also urged the audience to start a movement instead of just ranting about the traffic condition online. 

“We have many people online, organize them and put up specific projects. Do actual things, guys. Let's do actual things. Tactical urbanism. Let's not just complain forever,” Mayuga reiterated. 

Meanwhile, to improve the accessibility of roads, transportation, and implementation of a commuter-centric mindset, one group suggested a general inspection of buses and its terminals because many of which are unhygienic and disorganized.  

“We like to further inspect it to certain LGUs and through that, we can take the necessary precautions and steps on how to further clean buses and organizations,” Angelo Lumbao of DLSU said. 

Lumbao’s group also suggested of hiring a third party organization to help clean the buses and its terminals and add facilities, such as stations for breastfeeding and areas for persons with disability. 

“Through these steps we could slowly change the mindset of Filipinos to take buses and encourage them with the clean and organized terminals. People will start to gather and start to commute,” Lumbao stressed. 

Actual projects 

With all these ideas in mind, MovePH's unit head Raisa Serafica urged the participants to flesh out these plans into actual projects such as initiating a campaign or organizing the training of trainers to start creating ripples of change in their own communities. 

Karol Abadines of Disgrunted Young Professionals (DYP) echoed this, challenging the participants to continue creating the space where people actually meet and come up with actual projects. 

AltMobility's online initiative through its facebook group 'How's your byahe, bes?' serves as a platform for discussion, brainstorming and strategizing on how to improve mobility and traffic in the country.

But for Cruz, it is also important to start building a community of people that would regularly dicuss actionable points leading to movements. 

"We really want to move beyond with just coming up with ideas but to actually be able to follow through," Cruz said. – Rappler.com 

Watch this week's episode at 4:30 pm on Thursday, September 5

MANILA, Philippines – For this week's episode, Right of Way's Vince Lazatin is doing something different.

It's been almost two years since this vlog started, yet not much has changed or improved in the areas of traffic, transport, and road safety.

How could the public, with all the outrage and frustration and venting online, translate words into action?

How could motorists and commuters alike do something small, but significant – like demand clarity from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on their PUV lane policy? – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Local rice farmers are suffering and are on the losing end since the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11203 or the Philippine Rice Tariffication law. 

Among those struggling is Gorgonio "Miguel" Ferrer, a rice farmer from Pangasinan. Due to the rice tariffication law, he has been struggling to make ends meet. He is seriously considering giving up farming as he only earns a profit of P183.96 per day.

Gorgonio's daughter Jette Banatao shares in a Facebook post their difficult experience and disappointment on the enactment of the rice tariffication law.

"Kaya bang bumuhay ng isang pamilya ang ganito? Mapapag-aral ang kanyang mga anak? Sinong anak ang gugustuhing magpatuloy na magsaka kapag ganito ang paiiralin ng mga namumuno?" asked Banatao.

(Can families survive on this? How can they send their children school? What child would want to continue farming if their situation is like this?)

With the rice tariffication law, farmers earn less as farmgate prices of palay can drop as low as P7 per kilo from P12 per kilo. 

The objective of the rice tariffication law was to ensure food security, make the country’s agricultural sector viable and globally competitive by using tariffs, and stabilize food prices and inflation.

However, Jaime Tadeo from Paragos-Pilipinas described the law as the “engine killer of the economy” since local markets of municipalities and other industries are dependent on the rice industry to earn money. Through the rice tariffication law, rice importation is allowed and uninhibited. The influx of cheap imported rice is threatening local produce. 

The government's economic team estimated that the rice tariffication law would make the prices dip to as low as P27 per kilo, this is not the case.

Farmer Trinidad Domingo from Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) pointed out that the passing of the law was a sad moment for Filipino farmers because they were losing money despite their hard work. According to Domingo, it takes 50 kilos of rice to earn 400 pesos within a 4-month harvesting season.

Support farmers

Various organizations and netizens have slammed the rice tariffication law, pointing out how Filipino farmers were severely affected by its implementation.

Bantay Bigas said that the law had a negative impact on Filipino farmers, highlighting the need to address the issue as soon as possible.

“We have been warning against this prior to the enactment of the law, and now we are now facing the destruction of the rice farmers, the primary productive force of our national rice industry,” they said in a statement.

Other farming advocacy groups have taken to social media to show their disapproval of the rice tariffication law using the hashtags #JunkRiceLiberalization and #DefendPHAgri.

Join the Twitter Rally, Sept. 2, 8pm. Support farmers in demanding #JunkRiceLiberalization#DefendPHAgripic.twitter.com/eAlP23RNgr

— StopKillingFarmers (@kmp_phl) September 2, 2019

How to help

As an ordinary citizen, what can we do to help Filipino rice farmers?

Here are 6 ways to contribute the cause:

1. Urge local government units to buy from local farmers

Especially with the wide reach of local government units, former National Food Authority (NFA) chief Renan Dalisay suggested that one way people can help Filipino farmers is to lobby to their local government units to buy local rice.

This will help ensure a stable income for Filipino farmers, and receive a constant demand for their products with reasonable prices. Dalisay noted that people can lobby to their local government units to buy from Filipino farmers for P20 per kilo and sell these in their local markets for P40 per kilo.

2. Buy locally produced rice instead of imported rice

To help support rice farmers, people can also opt to buy rice locally instead of getting imported brands. 

Dalisay added that more sales of rice will create more demand. It will also motivate farmers to produce more goods.

Ibon Foundation highlighted that the dependency on imported rice can cause harm to Philippine society.  Local rice should always be the priority. 

"What if the global market players jack up prices or restrict supply? Where do we source our rice if the local rice industry is already dead? We should directly support our rice farmers and strengthen the local rice industry instead of relying on imports for our staple," they said.

3. Set up a market for local farmers

Filipino farmers go through a rigorous process when selling their local goods. By setting up a market for these farmers to directly sell their goods to consumers, this will cut the bureaucracy involved, thus becoming easier for farmers to earn income.

Session Groceries also suggested to make events around the country in order to create a market for local farmers to sell their goods. This could be online or on ground. Session Groceries, for example, bridges consumers to Filipino farmers in order to sell their local goods.

4. Volunteer in an organization

Join outreach programs or activities or volunteer in an organization that focuses on helping local farmers. Session Groceries, for example, is currently accepting volunteers to help Filipino farmers and to expand their network of farmers within the country. You can volunteer for their organization by joining the Facebook group Helping Local Farmers or message Session Groceries on Facebook.

5. Ask companies to buy produce from local farmers

Another way you can help out farmers is to reach out to companies and set up an arrangement. There are other companies that follow a farm to table approach, which could be implemented even in restaurants in your city. 

The Philippine Rice Research Institute pointed out that local grocery stores, restaurants, canteens, among others, can partner with cooperatives or farmers' groups in their community and deal with them as suppliers.

They pointed out that the regular demand from bulk buys can help local groups stand a better chance of flourishing.

Session Groceries highlighted that this effort can sustain the livelihood of the farmers as there is a continuous demand for their products.

6. Share and amplify information about local farmers

Session Groceries part owner Iloisa Romaraog Diga also expounded that awareness on the issue is essential by sharing posts on social media and sparking a conversation within communities.  –Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – How was your commute today?

Early morning commuters were greeted with a sudden suspension of Metro Manila Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) operations after the ssytem faced power supply problems in the northbound line of the Guadalupe station as early as 6:43 am on Friday, September 6.

Due to the suspension, long lines can be seen in MRT-3 stations, such as North Avenue. The stoppage also worsened the usual morning EDSA gridlock.

Although partial operations were made available around 9:35 am and regular operations resumed around 5 pm, frustrated commuters took to social media to share their sentiments on the public transportation system in Metro Manila.

They lamented that the state of public transportation remains the same despite promises from the Duterte administration to solve the Metro Manila traffic and provide better transportation services. 

The Duterte government has conducted various efforts to ease Metro Manila traffic. Just recently, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implemented a dry run of the controversial provincial bus ban, which netizens slammed for being anti-poor.

A modern Filipino norm

It was not the first time that the MRT-3 broke down. In 2017, the MRT-3 experienced more than 500 glitches and malfunctions during its hours of operations. 

The September 6 breakdown sparked a discussion among netizens about the problems of the Philippine public transportation system and its effects on commuters.

Netizens pointed out that MRT-3 breakdowns have become a common occurrence. Luke Michael Hermoso lamented that what efforts to improve public transportation had only achieved was to maintain the consistency of the breakdowns of MRT-3.

"Walang pagbabago (Nothing changed)," said Hermoso.

Good morning Friday! another successful aberya of MRT!#MRT3

— Jules (@juliusm92) September 5, 2019

Others talked about the gruelling routine that a commuter goes through every day.

James Banaag shared his sympathy for Filipino commuters. Despite the clamor from the public to fix the transportation system, its state remains the same.

"Paulit-ulit na lang aberya sa MRT. Paulit-ulit din sinasabi na aayusin na, papalitan na, babaguhin na. Hanggang ngayon wala pa rin," wrote Banaag.

(We experience glitches with the MRT all the time. We continously say that we need to fix, replace, and change it. Until now, nothing's happened.)

paulit-ulit na lang aberya sa MRT. paulit-ulit din sinasabi na aayusin na, papalitan na, babaguhin na.. hanggang ngayon wala pa rin. hopeless talaga dito sa atin!

— James Banaag (@dearscarjames) September 6, 2019

Others also shared their experiences from the recent MRT-3 breakdown.

Rezen Paul posted a text message he sent his supervisor, to inform him he would be arriving late for work because of the breakdown. Unfortunately, his supervisor experienced the same ordeal.

MRT-3 THINGZ pic.twitter.com/NAinyXr8EB

— Rezen Paul (@rezenpeace) September 6, 2019

Perfect representation of how the Filipino commuters feel this morning #commuterwatchpic.twitter.com/vYbzZ4uQII

— BIE (@osnapitsbie) September 6, 2019

A failing promise?

Netizens suggested possible solutions following the public transportation crisis. 

Arnel Villarin believed that promises would never be enough to solve the problem as a response to the promise of the current government to improve the public transportation system. 

"Any technical problems need true and real solutions [without] long setbacks," Villarin mentioned.

AltMobility, a transport and advocacy group, is actively lobbying for better public transportation services as a solution to fight Metro Manila traffic. Fighting Metro Manila traffic further stresses the need for the improvement of MRT-3, LRT, among others. Just recently, they conducted a Move Huddle with Rappler, where they discussed possible solutions in light of the transportation crisis in the Philippines. (READ: ‘Let’s do actual things!’: Commuters huddle on solutions to address traffic)

Alt Mobility's Ira Cruz cited the importance of improving the public transportation system as 80% of EDSA road users are commuters, yet 20% of road spaces are allocated to them. This results in the decline in the quality of public transportation as cars are given more priority.

What do you think should be done to improve the state of public transportation in the Philippines? –Rappler.com 

Hindi tamad ang Papa ko. Marami lang masisipag na demonyo at sa sakahan naghahasik ng lagim.

Sa isang papaunlad pa lamang na bansa tulad ng Pilipinas, kung tatamad-tamad ka raw ay baka mahuli at maghirap ka. Paano naman ang ating mga magsasaka?

Sagana sa yaman ang lupa ng Pilipinas. Ang sektor ng pagsasaka, pati na ang pamamalakaya, ang sumusustena sa pagkain ng malaking populasyon ng bansa. Mabubungkal ang katotohanang kung sino pa ang nagtatanim ng ating makakain ay sila pa ang kadalasang nakabaon sa kahirapan. Gayumpaman, hindi ako naniniwalang tamad ang mga taong ito kaya sila mahirap. Sabihin nang mahirap lang kami, ngunit hindi tamad ang Papa ko.

Sa aming munting hapag sa probinsiya, lagi't laging sumasagi sa aking isipan ang mga salita ni Papa: Huwag magtitira ng kanin sa plato, sapagkat mahirap magsaka. Kung kaya't sa bawat pagsubo, ninanamnam ko ang bawat butil, dahil hindi lang ito butil na galing sa uhay, handog ito ng marangal na kamay. Ito ay buhay.

Bilang isang kabataang anak ng magsasaka, namulat ako sa kalagayan nila. Bagaman parehong nakalubog ang ating mga paa sa marahas na lipunan, sadyang mas maputik ang kanilang nilulubugan, nilalakaran. Putik na natutubigan ng pawis, ng luha, ng dugo.

Masasabi kong hindi biro ang magsaka – ang yumuko maghapon, ang magbanat ng buto, ang umasa sa ulan habang natutuyot ang bulsa sa kakapatubig (mahal na krudo), habang wala nang masalok na salapi dahil naipambayad na ang kita sa mga utang, sa ospital noong nagkasakit ang isang kapamilya at sa paaralan; ang maging tagatanim ng mga kapitalista; ang kinakaya-kayanan lang ng mga nasa tuktok dahil sa kakayahan nilang kontrolin ang presyo ng mga produktong agrikultural; ang maging salamin ng kasipagan, ngunit sa huli ay salamin pa rin ng kahirapan.

Kung masaklap na ang balewalain sila, ano pa kaya ang paslangin sila? Sa Negros Oriental, naglabas ng magkakahiwalay na search warrant ang mga kinauukulan upang samsamin ang mga ilegal umanong armas sa panig ng mga sinasabing kumunista roon. Magsasaka ang mga sinasabing kumunista. Pinagbabaril ang 14 na magsasaka kaya sila umani ng bala, hindi ng bigas. Alalahanin din ang mga karumaldumal na pagpatay sa mga magbubukid dahil sa walang katapusang away sa lupa. Ang marahas na girian sa Hacienda Luisita.

Minsan, buhay ang kapalit ng pagbubungkal ng lupa. O kung minsan, kultura. Upang makatakas sa pag-a-ala-kugon ng Maynila, napagpasiyahan kong bumiyahe nang maaga pauwi sa probinsiya noong Huwebes Santo. Ngunit naabutan pa rin ako ng pagputok ng umaga bago nakasakay, dahil sa ragasa ng mga pasahero sa Cubao na biyaheng Lingayen at Dagupan. Ang mga nabanggit ay ilan lang sa mga ruta na bumabagtas sa aming bayan sa Tarlac, ang probinsiya kung saan itinatayo ang New Clark City, ang sinasabing magiging bagong sentro ng kalakaran sa labas ng Maynila at pagdadausan ng Southeast Asian Games ngayong 2019. “Back-up city” kung ito'y tawagin. Dahil sa mga konstruksiyon, sinasabing nanganganib mabura ang mga sakahan at lupain (ancestral lands) – sa kabuuan, kultura at tirahan – ng mga katutubong Aeta sa mapa ng Capas.

Hindi naman maitatangi ang mga panganib na dala ng mga land developer sa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. Dahil sa pag-convert nila sa mga lupang sakahan bilang mga komersiyal na espasyo at subdibisyon, nawawalan ng masaganang lupang mapagtatamnan. Saan na lang pupulutin ang mga obrero o manggagawa sa bukid na umaasa lang sa pakikisaka?

Ngunit hindi pa riyan natatapos ang kalbaryo ng iba pang mga magsasaka.

Sa social media kamakailan, nalitratuhang ipinapamudmod ang mga sobra-sobrang mangga sa isang bayan sa Ilocos Sur. Kaysa mabulok at patusin pa ng mga kapitalista, minabuting ipahingi na lang daw ang mga ito. Mabuti naman, ang sabi ng ilan sa comment section. Tagtuyot ang sinabing dahilan ng pagdami ng supply ng mangga sa merkado.

Naibalita rin ang pagkalugi ng mga maggugulay sa mga bulubunduking sakahan sa Benguet, dahil sa oversupply. Naibalita rin ang pagkalugi ng maraming magsisibuyas sa mga sibuyasan sa Nueva Ecija. Napilitan ang mga magsisibuyas na magbagsak-presyo, dahil sa sapilitang pagsasara ng mga sinasabing cold storage facility doon. Sinasabing lumuluha na raw ang mga magsisibuyas dahil literal na raw na nakakaiyak ang sibuyas sa Pilipinas – hindi na kailangang gayatin pa para may tumangis. Hindi rin nalalayo ang naging hinaing ng isang netizen sa social media matapos itong mag-post ng larawan ng sandamakmak na kalabasa, na inilako niya sa pinakamurang halaga: 6 pesos per kilo!

Pagdating naman sa pagpapalay, dismayadong-dismayado ang mga maliliit na magsasaka o may-ari ng mga maliliit na lupang sakahan sa murang presyo ng palay. Sa Nueva Ecija, ang Palabigasan ng Pilipinas, bumagsak na sa 7 pesos per kilo ang farmgate price (ang presyo ng produkto na direktang nabibili mula sa producer) ng palay.

Sa nilagdaang Rice Tarification Law, tinatanggal ng batas ang restriksiyon sa importasyon ng bigas, na inaasahang magpapataas sa supply ng bigas at magpapababa naman sa presyo nito. Sa batas, papatawan ng tariff (buwis para sa mga import) ang mga angkat na bigas. Ang malilikom na buwis ay sinasabing para sa kapakanan din ng mga magsasaka.

Ngayong liberalisado na ang lokal na merkado ng bigas, aarangkada ang pagpasok ng mga angkat na bigas kung kaya't sinasabing magkakaroon ng masidhing kompetisyon. Paano na lang ang lokal na industriya ng bigas? Ang mga lokal na magsasaka ng bigas? Maaaring malugi ang maliliit na magsasaka o may-ari ng mga maliliit na lupang sakahan sapagkat mapipilitan silang ipagbili ang kanilang mga ani nang mas mura. Nangangamba rin ang ilan na baka makapasok sa bansa ang mga bigas na may mababang kalidad. Kung iisiping maigi, mayaman ang lupa ng Pilipinas, ngunit bakit nag-aangat pa rin tayo ng bigas?

Kahit ngayong madali nang gawin ang mga bagay-bagay, mayroon pa ring paghihirap ang – at pahirap sa – mga magsasaka.  

Ngayon natin sagutin ang tanong: Kaya ba sila mahirap o pinapaslang ay dahil tamad sila? 

Hindi tamad ang Papa ko. Marami lang masisipag na demonyo at sa sakahan naghahasik ng lagim. – Rappler.com

Mark Christopher Viuda, 21, is the son of a farmer. He is a graduate of BS in Development Communication and works as a textbook editor in Quezon City. He was raised in an agricultural community in Tarlac, and it was his father who introduced him to farming at a young age. His father has spent half of his life farming, but he remains marginalized. 

Any transgender person would probably tell you that no one wakes up one day and decides they’re transgender. However, my moment of truth was just as sudden as that.

It’s not so much a choice as it is a realization – it’s part of who you are, and just like any other aspect about your identity, you have to discover it for yourself. That’s usually where the trouble lies, considering the conservative, predominantly Catholic Philippines.

Looking back, I’m now aware of the little things that hinted that I was non-binary while I was growing up. I felt confusion towards both my male and female peers. I acknowledged and affirmed the differences between men and women, regardless of whether they were progressive feminists or not. I inexplicably liked cross-dressing for acting projects in school. I felt familiar towards characters with androgynous gender presentations, belying a truth about myself that my upbringing kept hidden from me.

I didn’t feel quite like myself during those years before I realized it. As young and naïve as I was with a fickle mind and an equally fickle heart, I knew even back then that I wasn’t being myself. I didn’t feel like I was me. I felt like I was being limited by something I didn’t have the mind to comprehend at the time; like wild animals born in captivity looking beyond their confines and wondering vaguely why they felt like they belonged out there.

That was all I ever really knew about my gender identity, until years later, as 12th grade me sat in a social science class where the topic for the week was about gender. Suddenly, the vague, subtle hints I grew up with all made sense, and I felt the inspiration and pure joy moments of self-actualization bring you. I was, for once – and I never expected to be able to say this so soon into my journey through life – genuinely happy.

Internally, it was a perfect moment. Externally, however, the perspective told of a different story.

Realizing it was one thing, coming out with it was another. I trusted that the friends I have would be accepting of me, and sure enough, they were. In fact, they’re my best supporters.

I wish I could say the same for my family, though. I’m a firm believer in cutting ties with anyone, biological family or not, if they’re toxic in your life and only bring you down, but even I have to admit that part of me still wants to give them a chance. I wanted to see if they really can love and accept me like they claim they do.

But I knew they wouldn’t. Sure, they won’t disown me or physically harm me, but I know they would just merely shrug me off, disregard me and still insist on my assigned gender at birth, and dead-name me.

I decided to hold it off. I’m still holding it off now, a year after. I still don’t know when I can tell them.

My issues with feeling isolated and not belonging worsened as well. I didn’t know anyone else in my circle who was transgender, and the amount of proper representation in media was severely lacking. Not that I felt like I was adequately represented either when I was still cisgender – again, I always had the itching feeling that something didn’t feel quite right with myself, even then. I wouldn’t swap that with what I’m feeling right now, either. Why go hide and try to fit in now, when I never really did anyway to begin with? I did not venture so far to retreat so soon.

I can tell myself this all I want. Sometimes it works in convincing me that I don’t hate my circumstances. A lot of times, however, it doesn’t. I can’t deny the fact that it really hurts. It hurts that I have to feel even more alone than before; it hurts that I have one more secret to keep from my family; it hurts to realize more about myself just to realize, at the same time, that I actually don’t know who I am.

It hurts that I can’t just simply be.

…

It’s been a year of settling into my non-binary identity, and from the initial discomfort of it all, I managed to fashion it into the closest thing to home that I know of, thus far.  A storm rages outside, a flurry of hostility and uncertainty that threatens to break down these walls, but I rest assured knowing the blood, sweat, and tears that make the foundation are no stranger to adversity.

I’ve made it this far. I’ll make it even farther. – Rappler.com

Roni Navarro, a student at the Ateneo de Manila University, identifies as non-binary and has been out to friends for a year now.

MANILA, Philippines – Six years ago, author and tech entrepreneur Andrew Keen flew to the Philippines to give a talk about how the internet was an “epic failure.” He lambasted, among others, Google which was a co-organizer of the summit that Rappler hosted.

"Just as the Google guys are the nicest monopolists you’ll ever find, I’m the nicest anti-Google guy you’ll ever find," Keen said nonchalantly at the #ThinkPH: The Internet, Big Data & You summit held in Manila in 2013. He even asked if there were people from the company in the audience.

In his speech then, Keen argued that Google is the villain, the driving force, and the central character in the Web 2.0 revolution. "What Google figured out was the way of creating content without paying for that content. None of us were paid for our logic," he said.

For Keen, the internet has not aged well and it has only benefited a small group of people. If this continues, the future will soon be "unfixable."

On September 21, Keen will again return to the country to talk about ways to not let this happen. He will discuss the contemporary crisis of democracy all over the world, and the role of technology and innovation in attempting to "fix the future."

How to fix the future and democracy

Keen’s latest work has come a long way from pointing out the cultural and societal dangers the internet poses, to finding real solutions to bigger problems concerning the digital future. How to Fix the Future, Keen’s fourth and latest book, came out in 2018.

In How to Fix the Future, Keen traveled the world to actively attempt to address the challenge of “staying human” in the digital age, especially amid threats of artificial intelligence (AI). The book’s approach, as Keen described it, is “not theoretical, not abstract, nothing utopian about it.”

Along with fixing the future, Keen is also looking for feasible ways to fix democracy. Keen believes that many countries all over the world are facing contemporary threats to democracy as the digital revolution further advances.

Adding "podcaster" and "filmmaker" to his list of diverse roles, he launched a new podcast Keen On Democracy, and video series How To Fix Democracy in January this year.

Keen explores practical responses to the threats facing democracies in these series by interviewing influential and prominent intellectuals, politicians, writers, and industry leaders from all over the world. The video series will also be turned into a movie.

“Because the time today is right to fix the future. If we don’t start addressing these profoundly disturbing structural issues of the digital economy, then in 25 years, the future will be unfixable,” Keen said in a speech in 2018.

The promise of Web 2.0

Keen, whose first book was published in 2007, is perhaps one of the earliest and most controversial commentators of the world’s digital revolution. He held on to this radical views even if he only got the support of a minority when he was starting out. His provocative statements eventually gained wider popularity as years passed.

But Keen is not just a raging critic who intrinsically hates the internet. In fact, he has a professional background in Silicon Valley.

In 1995, Keen put up a company called Audiocafe.com, a first-generation internet music company. This folded in 2000, but he's back in the Silicon Valley today through FutureCast, a salon-type event series that brings together tech entrepreneurs, startup founders, and investors for collaborative discussions. He currently serves as FutureCast's executive director.

The only difference is that Keen never drank the Silicon Valley Kool-Aid. The demise of his first startup is what precisely led him to realize the inequality created in the digital space. The internet is not the problem – it's the principle many of the tech organizations have adopted, the free business model, which has so far driven the digital revolution.

His first book, The Cult of the Amateur, criticized Web 2.0 or the rise of the much-hyped free and user-generated content websites, such as Wikipedia, YouTube, and Myspace.

In his second book published in 2012, Digital Vertigo, he suggested that social networks weren’t actually “social” and that they were actually magnifying narcissism and isolation.

Optimists promised the people a "cultural renaissance" in the digital revolution, such as more equality and more jobs, Keen would often say in his talks and interviews.

In 2015, he released his third book, The Internet is Not the Answer, in which he said that the current structure of the digital space is creating a “winner-take-all economy” that only benefits a tiny group of tech professionals and a handful of massively powerful global companies.

“I was one of the few people in 2007 to argue hard on that this isn’t actually the case. When you unleash user-generated content, you undermine expertise, you create the ideal environment for fake news,” he said in 2018.

As technology further developed at a quick pace, Keen's works eventually became more recognized. He even landed on GQ magazine’s 100 Most Connected Men in Britain in 2015.

“What I feel rather than vindication or any kind of moral victory is that now, the real challenge begins,” Keen said.

Keen will headline Rappler’s 2019 Social Good Summit as the event’s keynote speaker. Tickets to the event are free, but seats are limited. Go here to register and know more. – Rappler.com

The 2019 Social Good Summit (SGS) is an annual gathering of citizens, innovators and thought leaders from around the world who are working together to achieve the UN's sustainable development goals by 2030. It will be held on September 21 at the Yuchengco Hall, De La Salle University, along Taft Avenue, Manila.

MANILA, Philippines – Sexual orientation and gender identity and expression advocates are calling for responsible conversations on SOGIE equality amid the increasing amount of hate affecting online exchanges on the topic.

They made the appeal at the launch of the #HumanizingSOGIE national campaign held on Thursday, September 6, at the Canadian Ambassador’s Official Residence in Makati. (READ: [OPINION | Dash of SAS] Humanizing SOGIE)

"So much hate has been going on in such an active conversation on social media, so I would like to enjoin everyone – I hope we engage in responsible conversations and I hope we remain committed to making sure we speak from the point of love and impartiality instead of from a point of discord," said Quezon City Councilor  Lena Marie "Mayen" Juico.

"As we speak, so many young people, so many people from the LGBT community are experiencing discrimination," she added. 

There were profiles on display at the launch which gave glimpses of the experiences of discrimination suffered by members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

In his profile, BPO agent Bigel Miranda relayed his experience of employment discrimination at a human resource agency for a Laguna-based semiconductor facility.

"I had an interview scheduled for employment. But when they saw me, they said they don't hire people from the LGBTQ+ community," he said.

Filmmaker and human rights activist Rhadem Morados, for his part, said he was required to get an HIV test prior to a colonoscopy at a public hospital because of his sexual orientation.

“I went to the state hospital in Mindanao for a colonoscopy. The medical staff required me to have an HIV test first just because I am gay,” Morados said. 

Betting on information

For gender equality organization SPARK! Philippines, there is a stronger need to share firsthand narratives of discrimination.

“By shining a light on the stories of real Filipinos with diverse experiences, the campaign aims to challenge preconceptions about what it means to be LGBTQ+ in the Philippines,” said SPARK! Executive Director Maica Teves.

With support from the Canadian government and in partnership with Love is All We Need and Propel Manila, SPARK!, through the #HumanizingSOGIE campaign, hopes that those who visit the exhibit would be encouraged to join the call for greater inclusion and equality.

“People hate what they don’t know,” shared TransMan Pilipinas founder Nil Nodalo.

After recounting the impact of different forms of discrimination on himself and other members of the community, Nodalo leaned towards the transformative power of empathy. 

“Mas maiintindihan nila kami through education. I mean, once na hindi mo talaga alam ang isang bagay, mahihirapan kang tanggapin or intindihin e (They’ll understand us better through education. I mean, you’ll have a hard time accepting or understanding something if you don’t really know it),” Nodalo said. 

Collective understanding

Von Carolino, a subject of the exhibit and the commissioner for gender equality at Ateneo de Manila University’s student council, saw an opportunity in the exhibit’s proactive education approach.

“I think we need to take a step back and be more patient with the people who disagree with us,” Carolino shared.

When asked about the growing online hate over recent comments made by legislators and religious groups against the current version of the SOGIE equality bill, Carolino acknowledged the right of the LGBTQ+ community to be outraged, but also asked for more understanding.

“I absolutely reject their notions of discrimination, and it is burdensome to live in fear and and insecurity. At the same time, I also consider that they were raised in a society that taught them to believe that gender is black and white,” Carolino added.

Through tireless persuasion and awareness campaigns like #HumanizingSOGIE, Carolino sees more people joining the call for SOGIE equality. (EXPLAINER: What you need to know about SOGIE)

"While sometimes, we give into the urge of responding [with hate], we should try to adopt the position of trying to inform them properly of the matter: of why gender is fluid or why we deserve the rights we clamor for," he said. – Rappler.com

Jaia Yap is a Rappler intern with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @jaiayap.

A few weeks from now, from September 20 to 27, millions around the world will walk out from their workplaces, homes and classrooms to join young climate strikers in sounding the alarm on the climate emergency. This will be the largest global climate strike yet in a series of protests inspired by teen climate activist Greta Thunberg about a year ago.

The science is clear. The world is facing a climate breakdown with catastrophic consequences for humanity. In the landmark report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading climate scientists warn of irreversible consequences and severe climate impacts as temperatures reach beyond 1.5 degrees, hitting the poor and most vulnerable the hardest.

We have about a dozen years to hold temperature increase below 1.5 degrees. (READ: Facts are facts: World is changing)

The climate breakdown

Since April this year, at least 6 countries including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Ireland, Portugal and Argentina have declared a climate emergency. Almost a thousand local jurisdictions in 18 countries have made climate emergency declarations, including New York City and Sydney. 

In the Philippines, Bacolod City and Tolosa municipality have voted to declare a climate emergency. (READ: Jefferson Estela, changing the climate for strikes in the Philippines)

A climate emergency declaration sends a strong message of how the the climate breakdown is so urgent and serious that the climate agenda has to be placed at the core of decision-making. It is a commitment to develop a just and ambitious climate emergency mobilization framework, and to consolidate resources to achieve deep emissions cuts by 2030. 

The climate crisis is already causing and will have more severe impacts, affecting millions of vulnerable Filipinos now and in the future. For the Philippines, the climate crisis is multifaceted: it is at the same time a biodiversity crisis, food and water crisis, and finally, an existential crisis. (READ: Should the Philippines declare a climate emergency?)

Biodiversity in crisis

The climate breakdown will have irreversible impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystems, including fishes, coral reefs, and a million animal and plant species globally that are now threatened with extinction.

Coral reef ecosystems in the country may not survive beyond our lifetime.

There will be very little chance for survival for virtually all coral reefs under the 2-degree warming, wiping out 98% of them by 2050. According to the IPCC landmark report, even a 1.5-degree warming could lead to 70-90% decline in coral reefs.

The Philippines, being at the center of the world’s marine biodiversity, will suffer immensely. Losing our coral reef ecosystem will have a chain reaction on marine fish species, livelihoods of local communities, food security, and recreation and ecotourism.

Food and water crisis

The climate crisis will take a toll on food and water resources.

Both aquatic and agricultural yields will be affected, impacting the livelihood of millions of Filipino fishermen and farmers.

The IPCC report projects that fish catch yield in the Philippines could decrease by as much as 50% in 2050 compared to 2000 levels. Meanwhile, longer and more severe droughts and dry spells, including exacerbated El Niño, will result in lower crop yield and spikes in food prices.

Water will also become increasingly scarce with intensified water cycle, causing shorter but more extreme rainfall and longer droughts.

Earlier this year, more than 6 million people in Metro Manila were affected by water shortages. Several local governments throughout the country also experienced varying degrees of water supply pressures. This resulted in spikes of social and economic disruption for many people.

Coupled with growing local demands and bad governance, the climate breakdown could lead to major food production instability, water shortages, and social instability.

Our house is on fire

Finally, the climate crisis is an existential crisis in that it will lead to large irreversible consequences and fundamental changes in the way humans live. The heating planet will challenge our adaptability to more severe and frequent extreme weather events and climate hazards.

The 2015 Global Climate Risk Index, developed by Germanwatch, shows that the Philippines is the number one country most affected by climate change, ahead of Cambodia and India. 

Rising sea levels would cause waves of displacement in millions in major capitals like Mumbai, Jakarta, Bangkok and Metro Manila, among many other coastal cities.

The science is clear. For the Philippines, the climate crisis is a biodiversity crisis, a food and water crisis, and an existential crisis, affecting millions of Filipinos, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, now and in the future. 

On the importance of declaring a climate emergency, I borrow the words of Greta Thunberg during her speech at the British House of Parliament:

“Sometimes we just simply have to find a way. The moment we decide to fulfil something, we can do anything. And I’m sure that the moment we start behaving as if we were in an emergency, we can avoid climate and ecological catastrophe. Humans are very adaptable: we can still fix this. But the opportunity to do so will not last for long. We must start today. We have no more excuses.”  – Rappler.com

Marvin Lagonera (@marvinlagonera) is a millennial climate emergency activist. He is currently affiliated with C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Views in this article his own.

MANILA, Philippines – Along with various organizations and communities, the Youth Strike for Climate Philippines is preparing to mobilize the Filipino youth nationwide for the global climate strike happening from September 20 to 27. 

Youth Strike for Climate is a national, youth-led movement aiming to empower young people to take action in addressing the effects of climate change.

Jefferson Estela, main organizer of Youth Strike for Climate Philippines, told Rappler that according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, the world only has around 11 years left or until 2030 to combat this global issue.

He added that leaders around the world should acknowledge and value youth participation in climate change issues. 

"We believe that we must be at the forefront of the ongoing global struggle against the climate crisis for the survival of our planet," Estela said.

The Philippines ranked third – just behind India and Pakistan – among countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to a 2018 survey. Climate change has far-reaching effects on people and ecosystems. (READ: [OPINION] Why the Philippines should declare a climate emergency)

The upcoming event aims to mainstream the climate crisis to further amplify concerns about climate inaction, and strengthen calls for sustainability as part of efforts to preserve the environment.

Aside from educating student leaders and other youth groups on the climate crisis, the simultaneous movements also hope to create a network of young environmental advocates and climate activists to "bolster collaboration and collective action for the cause."

Marches will happen in different areas and culminate at the University of the Philippines Diliman's College of Science Amphitheater, where the groups will attempt to set a world record for forming the largest human earth formation ever. 

Activities may vary per location in order to fit the context and understanding of climate change in the province. For example, the Manila and Bacolod areas will hold a forum and strike revolving around environmental and climate justice issues.

Some of the organizations who will take part in the event are Zero Waste Pilipinas, Ilocos Norte Movement Against Plastic Pollution, Kidlikasan, Panay Youth Strike, Youth for Climate Hope, and Young BEAN.

The climate strike in the Philippines will occur in the following locations:

Luzon

• Ilocos Norte - September 21, 3 pm
• Baguio City - September 20, 8 am, at CRC Hall, Session Road, People's Park, and Baguio City Hall
• Quezon City - September 20, 2 pm, at UP Diliman College Of Science Amphitheater

Visayas

• Tacloban City - September 20, 1:30 pm, at Rizal Park
• Iloilo - September 20, 1:30 pm

Mindanao 

• Bukidnon - September 19, 2019, 8 am, at Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center, Bendum Campus

The following areas will also hold a climate strike event, with specific details coming soon:

Luzon

• Pampanga
• Bataan
• Caloocan City
• Mandaluyong City
• Cabuyao and Los Baños, Laguna
• Dasmariñas, Cavite
• Infanta, Quezon
• Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan
• Albay and Sorsogon, Bicol

Visayas

• Cebu City
• Bacolod
• Negros Occidental
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar

Mindanao

• Davao City
• Tawi-Tawi
• South Cotabato
• General Santos
• Iligan
• Digos

Youth Strike for Climate Philippines suggested for people to bring sustainably-made signs and water if they're joining the climate strike event.

Is your province or city not listed? You can start a climate strike event in your location by applying on the global climate strike website. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines– How can communities empowered by technology and innovation help address the complex problems that come with the global climate crisis?

With the theme, “Insight for Impact,” the 2019 Manila Social Good Summit hopes to showcase how engaging communities and citizens can help them face challenges such as the environmental crisis and urban congestion.

With only 11 years left to prevent irreversible damage from climate change, the conversation on what can be done has to start. But as we confront these issues, our collective search for solutions is hampered by discord and hate in the digital platforms that are now our public conversation spaces. 

This year’s summit on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at the Yuchengco Hall in De La Salle University Manila will bring together student leaders, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, and industry representatives to discuss how we can cut through the noise and find avenues for constructive dialogue.

These are the key activities during the 2019 Manila Social Good Summit:

• Huddle - Series of breakout sessions that will gather students, partners, and interested individuals for a meaningful discourse around thematic messages connected to the Social Good Summit such as transportation and mobility, media and digital culture, zero-waste living, and gender equality and equity. Each huddle will have a different approach to tackle issues on the sustainable development goals, data innovation, and community engagement geared towards problem-solving. 

• #InspireCourage Stories - #InspireCourage is a series of 5-minute +SocialGood stories told by organizations and individuals with programs or initiatives tackling pressing issues in their communities that will help the Philippines achieve the global goals by 2030.

• XChange - A space for learning, interaction and ideas. It is a marketplace that will feature technologies and ideas that are shaping the world, and showcase partner initiatives around key issues such as environment, media and democracy, transportation, and gender equality.

• Insight for Impact Plenary -  This is the main event of this year’s summit featuring a series of talks and panel discussions zooming into the world’s most complex and urgent problems such as the global climate crisis, urban congestion, and their impacts on the Philippines. Setting the stage for problem-solving, the plenary conversation will also put a spotlight on how our collective search for solutions is hampered by discord and hate in the digital platforms.

Tickets to the Social Good Summit plenary are limited. You can get a ticket now for free. Those interested in attending the other activities of this year’s summit may send an email to socialgood@rappler.com.

SPEAKERS AND GUESTS (in alphabetical order)

Paulo Alcazaren
Head, PGAA Creative Design 

Paolo Alcazaren has been a practicing design consultant in planning, urban design, and landscape architecture for the last 38 years, 12 spent in Singapore as head of PDAA Design Pte Ltd. His advocacies are in heritage conservation along with public parks and open space. He has been the principal planner, urban designer and landscape architect in charge of close to 250 projects in 14 countries. He is currently head of PGAA Creative Design, Manila, part of the PDAA Group. Alcazaren is the recipient of several awards for urban design and landscape architecture from the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia, including the CCP Gawad para sa Sining award for architecture in 2016. He is also known for his work as a writer and journalist, winning the NCCA's Alab ng Haraya Award in 2002.

His Excellency Ola Almgren
Resident Coordinator, United Nations in the Philippines

Ola Almgren is the resident coordinator for the United Nations (UN) in the Philippines. He has been with the UN for 27 years, working on humanitarian affairs, development, peace and security, and disaster relief. He was director of the New York Office of the UN’s Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, an organization that worked on the removal of chemical weapons in Syria. He was also the Mission Chief of Staff of the UN Stabilization mission in the Republic of Congo, where they worked on the security, restoration of government stability, the return of displaced families to their homes, and the relaunch of community economies after years of political turmoil.  

Joy Belmonte
Mayor, Quezon City

Joy Belmonte is the mayor of Quezon City. She served as vice mayor of the city for 9 years. Her advocacies cover a wide area, but are especially focused on the protection and upholding of the rights of women and children, gender fairness, economic empowerment of women, mental health, culture and the arts. She pushed for the establishment of the QC Protection Center for Women, Children and LGBTQ as a one-stop-shop facility for victims of abuse. 

Dr. Fabian "Toby" Dayrit
Professor Emeritus, Ateneo de Manila University

Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit is a Professor Emeritus at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he has been teaching since 1983. He obtained his BS Chemistry degree from ADMU in 1975, and his MA and PhD degrees in Chemistry from Princeton University in 1978 and 1981, respectively. He was a research associate at Oxford University from 1980 to 1982. His areas of interest are chemistry of medicinal plants, coconut oil, and environmental chemistry. He was admitted as an academician to the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines in 2009, and is currently its vice president.

Wilhelmina "Willie" Garcia
Founder, Junk Not!

Willie Garcia is the founder of Junk Not!, a social enterprise focused on transforming regular plastic waste into functional furniture pieces, while providing livelihood to a community and protecting the environment. She is a graduate of Interior Design at St Scholastica’s College, Manila. She is a licensed interior designer and a member of the Philippine Institute of Interior Design since 2006. She attended social entrepreneurship at Youth Encounter Sustainability held in Armenia, Colombia. In 2007, she won the grand prize in the interior design category “The Environment Shapes You” by Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence. She is an advocate of the environment and continues to create art pieces as her means to reduce waste in different communities. Her beautiful furniture pieces and accessories have been exhibited in different events in the Philippines and abroad – Paris in France, Belgium, Germany, and Japan.  

Andrew Keen
Author

Andrew Keen is one of the world's best known and controversial commentators on the digital revolution. He is the author of 4 books: Cult of the Amateur, Digital Vertigo, international hit The Internet Is Not The Answer, and How To Fix The Future. Andrew is executive director of the Silicon Valley innovation salon FutureCast and an acclaimed public speaker around the world. He is the host of "Keen On" show, a popular TechCrunch chat show, and was named one of the "100 Most Connected Men" in 2015 by GQ magazine. 

Irene Jay Liu
Lead for Asia Pacific region, Google News Lab

Irene Jay Liu is a Singapore-based reporter and editor, with extensive experience in print, digital, radio, investigative and data journalism. She leads Google News Lab in the Asia-Pacific region, where she develops partnerships and programs to promote newsroom innovation and use technology to enhance reporting and storytelling. She was previously an investigative reporter and data editor at Reuters, where she was a 2017 Pulitzer finalist in the national reporting category. Before becoming a journalist, she worked for years in the non-profit and philanthropic sector. While an undergrad at Yale, she cofounded and led Advanced Strategies for Healthcare Access, for which she was nominated for the Ford Foundation's Leadership in a Changing World award and profiled in The New York Times. She teaches data-driven investigative journalism at the University of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Chiqui Mabanta
President, Winner Foundation

A Manila resident, Chiqui Mabanta is the current President of Winner Foundation, Arroceros Forest Park’s long-time caretakers. The foundation is part of the Save the Arroceros Movement, a coalition of environment groups that has been fighting for the last few years to keep the Arroceros Forest Park alive. Together with her family, Mabanta also owns and runs multiple businesses such as Corner Tree Café, Mexicali, El Chupacabra, and Crying Tiger. 

Benjamin Magalong
Mayor, Baguio City

Benjamin Magalong is Baguio City’s new mayor. He is a retired general who led the probe into the deadly Mamasapano clash in 2015 when he was the chief of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Magalong belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982. In his over 30 years of service with the PNP, he served as a SAF commando and later founded the SAF Seaborne and Sniper Unit. During his campaign, Magalong promised the residents of the country’s summer capital accessible and high-quality government services, environmental protection, effective traffic management, and peace and order.

Isko Moreno
Mayor, Manila City

Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso is the mayor of Manila City. Starting his career in politics at age 23, Moreno served as city councilor from 1998 to 2007. He later served as vice mayor, where he was known for overseeing the passage of ordinances that banned the commercial use of plastic bags, the passage of trucks in Manila during the daytime, and the passage of provincial buses in key roads of the capital. As mayor, Moreno is known for his active social media presence and his efforts to achieve his vision of a clean and vibrant Manila such as promoting “open governance” in the city, leading clearing operations in the city, and preventing any construction that would destroy trees inside Arroceros Forest Park.

John Nery
Convenor, Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation 

John Nery is an opinion columnist at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a convenor of the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation, and the new board chair of the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University. He served as a senior editor at the Inquirer for over 17 years. He is the first Sandra Burton Nieman Fellow in journalism in Harvard University, and was a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. He is the author of Revolutionary Spirit: Jose Rizal in Southeast Asia, published in both Singapore and Manila. He has received recognition for his opinion writing, investigative journalism, and book editing.  

Monique Obligacion
Founder, Manila Grows Food

Monique Obligacion has dedicated the past few years to helping build and manage some of the largest and most prominent sustainability-themed online communities in the Philippines. She is the founder of Manila Grows Food, a support group and online resource for urban gardening and composting. Monique is also one of the pioneer administrators of Buhay Zero Waste, a Filipino community with over 40,000 members, all trying to reduce the waste they generate in their day-to-day lives. Monique has been practicing zero-waste with her partner Rocco Mapua since 2016. They recently started Druid Things together – a store that carries select environment-conscious products, as well as a blog that talks about life without trash cans. Together, they have managed to achieve a household that no longer sends waste to landfills.

Sheena Peña
Communications specialist, SAFER Foundation

Sheena Peña is the communications specialist of the Shared Aid Fund for Emergency Response (SAFER) Foundation, a consortium focused on addressing the gaps in financing local disaster relief efforts. As part of a foundation that raises funds for disaster-affected Filipino communities, she wears many hats from capturing touching moments in remote areas of the country to writing inspiring stories on Filipino resiliency. During her free time, she enjoys practicing improvisational comedy and Kendo. 

Robi del Rosario
Founder, Uproot Philippines

Robi del Rosario is a passionate and dedicated urban food grower. His desire is to create sustainable and thriving communities through UPROOT, a for-purpose enterprise that creates impact by harnessing the power of aquaponics, connecting communities to businesses, improving workplace nutrition and creating an economy that benefits all. Among its services is a vegetable subscription, where food is made accessible and affordable, while providing a sustainable livelihood to communities.

Resham Saeed
Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2019

Resham Saeed was born in the Philippines but was raised in Toronto, Canada. In 2018, she returned to the Philippines. She later joined Binibining Pilipinas 2019 and became a Muslim-Filipino Binibining Pilipinas winner after she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2019. Resham is a proud advocate for gender equality and women empowerment, serving as an ambassador of Spark! Philippines’ #RespetoNaman campaign, which is focused on tackling the issue of rape and sexual harassment in the Philippines and empowering women to rise up and speak up. 

Stephanie Sy
CEO and Lead Data Scientist, Thinking Machines 

Stephanie Sy is the founder of data science consultancy Thinking Machines. She has built machine learning models for organizations in both the private and public sectors, including the World Bank, Ayala Corporation and UNICEF, and has expanded operations to Singapore. Stephanie has been invited to speak at the United Nations in New York about technological innovation. The Filipina tech leader was included in the "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia" list  for 2018, which includes movers and disruptors in their particular industries, young entrepreneurs, and innovators. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Scientists from the University of the Philippines Diliman's Institute of Biology (UP-IB) on Wednesday, September 11, condemned the recent release of invasive fish and toad species to quell mosquito populations, calling the measure "a recipe for ecological disaster."

As a response to the dengue outbreak, around 6,000 mosquitofish stocks were released in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, last August by the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Local barangay officials of Barangay Matandang Balara, Quezon City, led the release of more than 1,000 "bullfrogs," which were later identified as the invasive and highly toxic cane toad species Rhinella marina. (READ: Oops? QC barangay goofed in releasing cane toads to estero)

However, both the mosquitofish and cane toad are on the list of the top 100 worst invasive species worldwide. 

'Ineffective mosquito control agent'

Citing numerous studies, the UP-IB said that contrary to what its name suggests, the mosquitofish is not the most effective combat against mosquito larvae.

"Because of its broad diet and ability to outcompete many fish, invertebrate, and vertebrate larvae, the negative impacts of introduced mosquitofish on native fauna is much greater than its intended use as a mosquito control agent," the UP-IB said.

Likewise, the UP-IB pointed out that cane toads are not effective in controlling mosquito populations.

"The fact is that they do not consume significantly enough to control mosquito populations," the UP-IB said, citing a study that found that mosquitos constituted less than 1% of a frog's diet.

The UP-IB added that cane toads are poisonous in all its life stages, from egg, tadpole, froglet, to adult. Human deaths have even been recorded following ingestion of cane toad eggs or adults.

Due to the cane toad's highly invasive nature, the scientists also raised alarm over the proximity of the release site to the UP Diliman campus, one of the last remaining green spaces in Metro Manila. The university has stressed their support of the plethora of native and endemic wildlife.

"These wildlife can very well disappear, disrupting the ecosystem functions they provide if their habitat is overrun with cane toads." the UP-IB said. 

Against the law

The UP-IB also pointed out that the irresponsible release of the two invasive species violated Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which requires that a careful study and public consultation be conducted prior to the releases. 

"Violators of RA 9147 could potentially result in imprisonment of up to 8 years and a fine of up to 5 million pesos," the UP-IB said.

The UP-IB said that the most effective combat against dengue is keeping your surroundings clean, removing possible breeding grounds for mosquito larvae, and applying mosquito repellent often.

The scientists called for a halt to the release of invasive species in the Philippines. They also recommended that further studies be conducted on both the dengue outbreak and the impact of invasive species. – Rappler.com

Nicolas Czar Antonio is a Rappler intern who studies psychology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @Nicolas_Czar.

MANILA, Philippines – Following a magnitude 5.5 earthquake that struck parts of Luzon on Friday, September 13, evacuations of several schools, government offices, commercial and residential buildings, and establishments were done to ensure people's safety. 

Students, employees, and residents in establishments and buildings in several areas of Metro Manila were asked to evacuate as a precautionary measure. (READ: All you need to know about preparing for earthquakes)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that the epicenter of Friday's earthquake was in Burdeos, Quezon.

The magnitude 5.5 earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, was felt in Camarines Norte, Quezon province, Quezon City, and in other parts of Metro Manila. 

Phivolcs also warned the public in its bulletin that damage and aftershocks are expected following the earthquake.  

In the event of an earthquake, Phivolcs recommends that people take a safe exit and move to an open area far away from falling debris, trees, power lines, posts, and concrete structures.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also sent an emergency mobile warning minutes after the earthquake was felt. 

Here are some photos from the evacuations prompted by the earthquake: 

Sampaloc, Manila 

Quezon City

Makati City 

Malabon City

Malate, Manila

– Rappler.com 

“Act like a man.” That was the motto of my high school. Growing up, I was surrounded by boys who were always eager to prove their masculinity. Some ended up in fights, others in sports, others in parties, but almost all seemed to loathe one thing: Being gay. I studied in a school where being labeled a faggot was an attack on your masculinity, where coming out to your barkada meant possibly losing your best friend. 

I was forced to go through this every single year, with a religion teacher that read us the same bible verse that said homosexuals were an abomination. I had to sit through teachers telling me that I was an abomination, that my love was a sin, that my feelings were a phase. 

In my Grade 9 class, our religion teacher went as far as saying that being gay or lesbian is a mental disorder. My teachers never told me God hated me. In fact, they were very clear God loved all sinners. But I was still a sin that I couldn't change. They never needed to tell me he did because, after all, he must. Regardless, I'm an abomination. I'm mentally-disordered. 

I studied in a school where being anything but straight made you afraid of whether or not you were going to be allowed to stay. I heard the story of a girl in our sister school who had to transfer because she was caught making out with another girl on campus, stories of students who got kicked out because people found out they were gay. Some of them weren't true. A lot of them were. But to us it didn't matter because the only thing we knew to be true was that we were afraid.

This fear is one that many young LGBTQIA+ students share – the fear of being kicked out of school, the fear of being sneered at on the street for holding someone’s hand, the fear of losing friends, the fear of being disowned by their families, the fear of not getting a job. 

But not all hope is lost. 

In 2018, I joined the Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance (PANTAY), a nationwide network of young LGBT advocates fighting against discrimination. We continue to fight for the SOGIE equality bill, a proposed law that would criminalize all forms of discrimination against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. It would protect students like myself from being kicked out of school because they were gay, prevent parents from forcing their children to go through conversion therapy, and bigots from spreading hate through textbooks.  

While many say the Philippines is one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in the world, I feel that it just isn’t. Fighting for this bill is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Whenever I go online, all I see are people calling young LGBT people disordered, against the will of God, and part of the destruction of the moral fabric Philippine society; sometimes I feel like I’m back in that school. 

The SOGIE equality law will seek to end discrimination on the basis of SOGIE in the public sector, public spaces, the workplace, in schools, and in the household. If this gets passed, people wouldn’t be able to try to force us through conversion therapy because we’re gay, beat us because we like dresses more than pants, or kick us out of school for our sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expression.  

When this gets passed, the message comes loudly and clearly from a state policy: that LGBT kids like me need to be protected, and that discrimination in all forms is inherently wrong. We must build a society where people like me don’t have to be afraid of who they are. 

This is for the thousands of children who were taught that they are nothing but abominations, for the kids who are disowned by their parents, for the students kicked out of schools, for young people harassed in the streets.  

Things need to change. And that change should start with a SOGIE equality law that recognizes equal rights for LGBT persons like me, a law that tells me, “No, you are not disordered nor an abomination”.  

In school, I needed to hear that. Thousands of LGBT kids need to hear that.  – Rappler.com  

Jake is a second year AB Communication student from the Ateneo De Manila University. He is 18 years old.  

MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 5.3 earthquake didn’t shake the resolve of hundreds of people who turned up on Friday, September 13, for this year’s University of the Philippines (UP) Pride March at the Academic Oval in UP Diliman.

Students and faculty members stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community during the UP Pride March, the main event of the three-day UP Pride 2019 celebration, as they called for equality within and beyond the campus.

Anchored on the theme “Embracing Diversity Towards Equality,” this year’s UP Pride is especially focused on pushing forward the formulation and adoption of a university system-wide policy on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). 

Since 2008, UP Pride has elevated the voices and concerns of LGBTQ+ persons within and beyond the university, and has become an official UP Diliman event since 2016.

“The goal of UP Pride is to be a safe place where people can celebrate who they are. But at the same time, it’s also a platform for the LGBTQ+ community to spread awareness on issues that affect us most, such as the urgency to have a national anti-discrimination law and a university anti-discrimination policy,” said UP Pride 2019 co-head Isabela Rivera.

From September 10 to 13, various activities were done to reinforce the call #UPTowardsEquality and #SOGIEEqualityNow in time for Friday’s Pride March. 

Among these were the launching of an exhibit about the everyday challenges of LGBTQ+ students, a SOGIESC workshop to promote gender sensitivity among university stakeholders, and a forum discussing the elements and framework behind the proposed SOGIE policy in UP.

Starting in their own backyard

While there remains no national legislation recognizing and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ persons, the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UP CWGS) believes that a localized SOGIE policy is a necessary step towards equality.

“For UP to realize its vision for academic and operational excellence, it should ratify a policy which spells out and ensures that everyone within its purview enjoys the same rights and privileges,” said Dr. Marby Villaceran, the Deputy Director for Research and Publication of UP CWGS  

To date, UP CWGS, together with members of UP Babaylan and its alumni counterpart Babaylanes, Inc., have already drafted the UP SOGIESC policy. Villaceran said UP CWGS is now working with the different UP gender offices to roll out consultation sessions with stakeholders throughout the university, including faculty members and lawyers.

Expanding on the previous SOGIE framework, ‘SOGIESC’ further appreciates the diversity of people through the recognition of an individual’s sex characteristics, which includes genitals, gonads, and chromosome patterns. The expansion helps to meet challenges faced by intersex persons, who are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. (WATCH: What you need to know about SOGIE)

Among the many provisions of the UP SOGIESC policy are the allocation of funds for medical services including those that focus on sexual health, and the creation of permanent positions for psychological therapists providing SOGIESC-responsive counselling services.

“It should also provide for the construction or designation of SOGIESC-inclusive and/or gender-neutral toilets, and the issuance of gender identity-affirmative documents,” added Villaceran.

A brighter rainbow ahead

Passage of the UP SOGIESC policy would be a welcome development to LGBTQ+ persons such as UP trans woman professor Hermie Monterde, who just this year came forward on social media with accounts of alleged workplace discrimination.

Monterde recounted her distress over the alleged discrimination towards her, and how she believes that her SOGIE has had a negative effect on her tenureship application.

Through the concluded three-day celebration, UP Pride 2019 organizers like Rivera hope that people have learned more about SOGIESC-based discrimination, and that they would join the fight to end it.

“SOGIESC-based discrimination impacts the overall quality of life of LGBTQI [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersexpeople],” said Rivera. “We hope that UP Pride has inspired the LGBTQI community as well as our allies to join the fight for LGBTQI rights and gender equality and to advocate for the proposed UP SOGIESC Policy as well as the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill.” – Rappler.com

Jaia Yap is a Rappler intern with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @jaiayap.

MANILA, Philippines – Showing a strong stance against injustices and a looming dictatorship, youth groups are leading a multi-sectoral front that will hold on Friday, September 20, a nationally coordinated protest to never forget the horrors of martial law.

The protest will mark the 47th anniversary of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law on September 21, 1972. (READ: Martial Law, the dark chapter in Philippine history)

The protest action, which will happen in Luneta at 3 pm, calls for resistance against what the multi-sectoral front sees as increasing state repression under the current administration: from the red-tagging of activists and the harassment of student journalists, to the militarization of countryside communities and schools.

Youth against martial rule

Youth groups such as One La Salle for Human Rights and Democracy, University of the Philippines Manila University Student Council (UPM USC), Save Our Schools (SOS) Network, Anakbayan and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) are spearheading this year’s united protest.

At a time when the family of the ousted strongman has taken top government posts, and militarization under President Duterte is intensifying, the groups see the need for the youth to make sure that succeeding generations will remember the horrors of martial law and continue to resist authoritarian rule.

According to Youth Act Now Against Tyranny’s Raoul Manuel, co-convener of the youth coalition leading the action, the anniversary of the declaration of martial law should be observed with a protest because the horrors of a strongman rule should never happen again. (READ: #NeverAgain: Martial Law stories young people need to hear)

“We are now ruled by a government that silences critics and opposition so it can hide its wrongdoings: it sells our country to China, prioritizes budget for war and pork barrel over social services, and dooms our workers and farmers to suffering,” said Manuel during a press briefing with leaders of civil society and faith-based organizations in Intramuros, Manila on Monday, September 16. 

Citing not only alleged political harassment towards young activists, but also the encroachment of police and army forces into schools, co-convener Anakbayan National Spokesperson Alex Danday added that any plan to quell dissent and restore dictatorship will be met with democratic resistance.

“Tatandaan po natin na walang diktador na nagtagumpay sa ating bayan. Lahat ng diktador sa ating bayan ay pinulot sa basurahan ng kasaysayan. (Let us remember that no dictator has succeeded over our nation. All of our dictators have ended up in the dustbin of history),” said Danday. 

Through a manifesto of unity, youth groups pledged to take part in the protest and urged fellow Filipinos to do the same.

“Our future as a country can only be sustained if we, the young generation, are taught to fight for, and not to compromise, the values that make for a great nation,” the groups’ youth leaders said in the manifesto. 

Coming together

Aside from the youth, various groups under the United People’s Action coalition will join the protest of different sectors against authoritarian rule. The group said labor, human rights and faith-based groups continue to be persecuted and even killed because of their dissent against what they see as oppressive policies.

Among the notable figures supporting the united protest is former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Makabayan’s Neri Colmenares.

“Forgetting the truth destroys any nation,” said Sereno. “Our young leaders do well by leading Philippine society in recalling the dismal days of Marcos Martial Law, when unchecked abuse of power led to the rise of criminality, brazen disregard of the rule of law, and the unabashed outrage of democracy.”

Other groups under the multi-sectoral front will conduct their own programs within Metro Manila in the morning and early afternoon of September 20, before heading towards the main mobilization in Luneta at 3 pm.

On top of the Luneta-bound protest actions in Metro Manila, the multi-sectoral coalition will also be staging satellite mobilizations in key cities such as Baguio, Angeles City, Tarlac City, Los Baños, Tacloban, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao.

Those interested in joining the protests are urged to wear black.– Rappler.com

Jaia Yap is a Rappler intern with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @jaiayap.

MANILA, Philippines– What does it take to live zero-waste?

Many people online will tell you that it can start with the little things: using tumblers instead of plastic cups, bringing your own baonan with utensils, ditching plastic straws, and simply just refusing single-use plastic. (READ: Zero waste basics: Mess kits will help save the world)

Nestled in a corner of Facebook is Buhay Zero Waste, a Filipino community trying to reduce the amount of waste they produce in their day-to-day living. A quick scroll on the Facebook group shows Filipinos working together to go zero waste, as they celebrate their little wins throughout the week, turn to each other for suggestions and alternatives, and share their own efforts to experiment and reuse items in their household.

It takes a village to make a big lifestyle change, and Buhay Zero Waste welcomes anyone at any point in their zero-waste journey.

What started out as a handful of members in March 2017 has now ballooned to more than 44,000 members as of September 2019.

Monique Obligacion, one of the pioneer administrators of Buhay Zero Waste, has witnessed its baby steps up to the thriving community that it is now.

“We were the first bunch of administrators. Back then, it was just us talking, posting content. The very first post then were composting, ecobricking. People didn’t even know what these things were before,” she said.

“As admins, we got together and then we started talking about plans for the group. And it was just let’s keep the tone like this. Let’s make sure people don’t bash each other or criticize each other for whatever they’re doing...Only you can gauge where you are in terms of zero waste. I always say there are no standards or merits for anybody to assess anyone else,” Obligacion shared.

As a staunch advocate of zero waste and low-impact living, Obligacion has founded Manila Grows Food, a support group and online resource for urban gardening and composting. She’s also been practicing zero-waste with her partner Rocco Mapua since 2016, and documenting their life without trash cans in their blog Druid Things.

The 5Rs

The zero-waste lifestyle mainly follows the 5Rs method: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, rot.

Obligacion pointed out that going zero-waste is a journey, and everyone goes at their own pace.

Some people may be more advanced in composting and gardening but have done nothing about plastic disposal. Others may still continue buying more items with the promise of one day reusing or recycling them instead of making do with what they already have. (READ: Rappler pushes for responsible use of plastic with #ManyWaysToZeroWaste movement)

“We just keep on educating and educating. And as a group, we also grew,” she shared.

Planting the seed

Managing the whole 44,000-strong community are 11 administrators and moderators. Even with such a huge community, the administrators and moderators of Buhay Zero Waste make sure that discussions within the group remain open by curating the feed with posts that have substantial captions that can help the members grow. 

Although there are a lot of viral posts and videos about going zero waste, the administrators and moderators of Buhay Zero Waste ask the community to add more to the discussion, especially in putting it in the Philippine context. Members are also urged to keep the posts centered on zero-waste to respect everyone’s own set of beliefs, lifestyles and advocacies.

"Our rules, they also evolve, but the whole relatability, it's something actually that we impose earlier on...Everybody has to talk about their experience. Awareness is nothing if you're not doing anything anyway. It has to be actionable,” Obligacion said. 

Interested members also have to answer a set of questions before joining the group to ensure there won’t be trolls or spam within the community. 

As the group grows, members of the community have gotten more proactive in facilitating discussions and educating people about going zero-waste, with some of them becoming official moderators of Buhay Zero Waste later on.

“Before, it was mostly me and the admins commenting on people's posts.... But now, the people we educated two years ago are now educating the new members of the group. And that's how we get moderators,” said Obligacion.

Moderators are in charge of approving membership requests and facilitating discussions when needed, while administrators lead the direction of the group and handle the approval of pending posts in the community.

Sowing the seeds

Eventually, Buhay Zero Waste has inspired other members of the community to take their advocacy offline and share it to their own spheres of influence. (READ: A zero waste lifestyle: How have other people done it?)

One of these is 53-year-old Peachy Alberto, a chef by profession who struggled with how to prepare her dishes without using packaged products.

She first started out her journey by ecobricking, which is stuffing plastic into plastic bottles so it can be used to replace hollow blocks for building walls. (WATCH: How to repurpose plastic bottles into ecobricks)

Learning from her nieces in Sydney, she later began using her own produce bags and reusable containers for her groceries, and joined the Buhay Zero Waste Group some time in 2018.

“It popped up as a ‘suggested group’ to join. Maybe because I was already posting stuff regarding plastics at that time. I clicked and joined immediately. I wanted to learn other ways on how I could help fight global warming and share my own do's and don'ts,” Alberto shared.

Having started her zero-waste journey in 2016, Alberto saw the thriving community in Buhay Zero Waste and decided to set up initiatives in her area too.

In her community at the Pacific Village of Muntinlupa City, Alberto shared guidelines on waste segregation, and suggestions on how to reduce single-use plastics, which triggered the creation of an environmental committee for which she was made chairman.

There’s now a stricter form of waste segregation in her community, as well as a recommended zero-waste guide for future renters of the clubhouse, which will be attached to the rental contract.

“We are hoping this can become a community project and turn our village into a green village,” added Alberto.

Bridging the gap from online to offline, Alberto also invited Buhay Zero Waste to give a talk on the climate crisis during an Awareness Day that she organized in her community in the hopes of setting the tone to learn more about proper waste segregation, composting, and urban gardening. The next event in her community is a learning day tackling trash segregation and bokashi composting with Obligacion and Mapua, with further talks on why these efforts are important.

Having seen the ripples of change in her community, Alberto shared how the online community of Buhay Zero Waste made her see that the lifestyle is possible.

“The [Buhay Zero Waste] community conveys it can be done. All one needs to do is to want to take the initiative to make a lifestyle change. It may not be very easy in the beginning.  But just as I am passionate about my food, I am passionate about nature and Mother Earth. And to be able to do something to preserve it, has become part of my lifestyle now,” she said.

Always growing

Slowly, people in the community learn the little ways they can join in the zero-waste movement through the group.

“It's gratifying because we see the growth of the members and of ourselves. We see them in the beginning where it's just straws that they refuse, and now they eventually refuse the entire cup. The next thing you know, they're bringing their own baonan,” Obligacion shared.

Those who want to try going zero-waste might be intimidated at first, and that’s okay. Obligacion recommends starting out with something small. It can be with a small habit that you can change, such as using a tumbler if you’re fond of buying milk tea or coffee. Buhay Zero Waste actually has a crowdsourced running list of establishments that allow people to use their tumblers instead of the store’s plastic cups.

“Start with something small and turn it into a habit. Look for ways, smaller ways to change and just keep going. The important thing, whatever you do, you get consistent with it...The journey is different for everybody. Other people can start with planting their own herbs so they don't have to buy stuff wrapped in plastic; or skipping the grocery [store] and going to a palengke instead,” Obligacion said.

With Philippines being the third biggest source of plastic leaking into seas worldwide, everyone has a role to play in reducing the plastic they use everyday.  According to these advocates, learning more about how to lessen one's waste or actually practicing the zero-waste lifestyle are just some concrete ways anyone can take to address this problem. (READ: How going zero waste is addressing PH's plastic pollution)

For this thriving online community in the Philippines, what they hope to do is in the name: a life without waste or in Filipino, "Buhay zero-waste." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Metro Manila represents the best and the worst of the Philippines. While it is the country's seat of power, both economically and politically, it is also a stark symbol of uneven regional development and wide inequality.

While it is a place rich in history, a center of development and business, it is also a catch basin of problems that have plagued the country for ages – traffic and transportation, security, low wages, rising cost of living, and disasters, among others. 

But months after the midterm elections, all eyes have turned to the country’s new set of mayors, some of whom are making headlines and gaining ground on social media as they introduce new policies and unique governance styles.

Particularly popular are new mayors of Metro Manila cities, now carrying the heavy burden of coming up with creative solutions for issues that plague the country’s capital, and ultimately making their respective cities much more livable.

But in the long list of Metro Manila problems, what should be prioritized and where should mayors look first? In an online survey that ran on the Rappler website, we asked our readers about development areas that matter to them the most, and what a truly "livable city" meant to them. Here’s what they said:

46.9% or almost half of the respondents from Metro Manila said that traffic and transportation should be prioritized. This is a far first from the next top result – lowering the cost of living, which is at 12.6%. While traffic and transportation also topped the list for respondents from cities outside Metro Manila, their answers are much more diffused across other development areas.

Here the are top 5 areas of development our readers think should be prioritized:

1) Traffic and transportation
2) Lowering cost of living
3) Crime prevention
4) Accessibility of health services 
5) Support for education services

Metro Manila traffic leads the survey with a large margin 

Traffic and transportation leading the list comes at no surprise, as cities struggle to decongest roads and provide a decent mass transportation system for metro dwellers. 

Numbeo, which tabulates data on quality on life for more than 200 cities, ranks Manila as 5th worst in its global traffic index, next only to Delhi, Nairobi, Kolkata, and Colombo. A study by the Boston Consulting Group in 2017, meanwhile, said Metro Manila has the 3rd worst traffic in Southeast Asia, with motorists getting stuck in traffic for an average of 66 minutes daily.

The country’s mass transport system is in a much dismal state: trains are serving passengers way above their daily capacity, and commuters lament the long and uncomfortable commute that affects their work, family life, and personal well-being.

The past month put the traffic problem in the spotlight once more, as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) faced harsh criticism over new EDSA road policies that ended up inconveniencing commuters even further.

As public clamor against road and transport systems in the country escalates, government officials scramble to find solutions. A bill to give President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to solve traffic has been pushed several times, but it has yet to get past legislative gridlock. Policymakers are also keen on putting pressure on government agencies in charge of regulating traffic and mass transportation systems.

Metro Manila mayors are also taking up the challenge to respond to the traffic crisis. Following a 60-day deadline set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units rushed to reclaim public roads from private use.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno was heaped with praise on social media after he ordered the unclogging of major thoroughfares like Recto, Divisoria, and Carriedo at the expense, according to critics, of poor Metro Manila vendors. It remains to be seen whether these attempts will be sustainable.

Particularly hot on traffic is Vico Sotto, the newly-elected mayor of Pasig City, which, the MMDA says, has the worst traffic bottlenecks in Metro Manila.

His first executive order after being elected was the suspension of the city’s notorious odd-even traffic scheme and the creation of a traffic management task force. He has also been particularly critical of the MMDA, saying their policies have only worsened traffic on EDSA.

Rising cost of living

Lowering the cost of living comes second in our survey – also at no surprise – as rising prices of goods and services has never been more apparent in 2018, when inflation hit a 9-year high. (READ: 'What inflation means for you')

In 2019, Manila was ranked the 109th costliest city in the world by human resource consulting firm Mercer’s 2019 annual Cost of Living Ranking. It jumped 29 places up from its record the previous year, the 4th sharpest climb worldwide.

The average prices of residential properties in the country has also been rising continuously, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP said that the average residential prices in NCR alone increased 8.7% in the first quarter of 2019, largely due to an increase in the prices of condominium units and the entry of Chinese tenants employed by offshore gaming companies.

Despite these, a study by Willis Towers Watson released in January 2019 said salaries will unlikely have a significant increase this year, as it projects the average salary increase in the Philippines to remain at a flat 6%.

How ‘livable’ is Metro Manila?

We also asked our readers to rate their respective cities’ current performance in the different areas of development identified. Across the board, respondents from Metro Manila rated lower than respondents from cities outside.

Poverty reduction has the lowest rating in Metro Manila, scoring below average at 2.28 (on a scale of 1 to 5). This is followed by traffic at 2.51 and cost of living at 2.56. Support for education services had the highest rating, scoring slightly above average at 3.16.

Poverty is an ugly truth Metro Manila residents have learned to live with. Manila is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and 40% of the country’s slum dwellers or urban poor, are in Metro Manila.

A large number of slum dwellers live below the international poverty line or are barely earning above it, and are in living conditions that put their health and overall well-being at risk. They also have limited access to public utilities and social services, all of which are largely documented by the media and scholars around the world.

In our survey, respondents with higher income brackets (those earning P75,000 or $1,438 and above every month), had an overall lower rating compared to those with lesser income. This may be attributed to access to information, as those with higher income have better exposure to the world outside Metro Manila. 

The young are optimistic

Yet a big chunk of Metro Manila’s young population are optimistic about their city’s development. 

When asked how knowledgeable they are about their local government’s city development plans, only 19% of Metro Manila residents said they’re knowledgeable and 27% they’re not aware of any of their plans. 

But both knowledge of their city government’s plans and optimism are high among young respondents, especially those who are 18 to 44 years old.

51% of those in the 25-44 age bracket said they are optimistic about their local government’s city development plans. This is the same for 47% of 18-24-year-old respondents. Both optimism and knowledgeability, however, decrease as respondents become older.

The 25- to 44-year-old respondents are the most optimistic respondents from cities outside of Metro Manila.

Voters data for the 2019 midterm election show the same trend, with 46% of voters in the National Capital Region being 25 to 44. This may be due to a variety of reasons, such as access to information, with this segment also being more immersed in new information channels such as social media.

Social Good Summit 

The to-fix list is long for the mayors of Metro Manila’s troubled cities, but the burden of fixing these are not theirs alone.  

In many and different ways, communities and citizens have stepped up to help solve challenges such as the environmental crisis and urban congestion, out of love for the country and concern for the common good.

Rappler’s Social Good Summit, which will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at the Yuchengco Hall in De La Salle University Manila, will bring together student leaders, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, and industry representatives, to discuss how we can cut through the noise and find avenues for constructive dialogue.

How can local governments better engage communities to help address complex problems in their local cities? Let us know in the comments below! – with data from TheNerve.co/Rappler.com