mystaero

[mystaero]

"But first, her, then coffee."

It has been one of our goals to experience different coffee and pastry shops around the city and pick our favorites among them. This venture will probably not made possible if not for her or with her, and of course, this experience will be memorable regardless of the outcome.

Upon scrolling in my Facebook feed, I bumped into a sponsored post regarding a coffee shop having a Camarin branch. Not far from where we were, but not too close. So, we decided to take a trip and give the shop a shot.

Given the reviews in their Facebook page and other branches, we decided to take a leap of faith and give the place a visit. The place was pretty limited than we expected. Maybe because only a few photos of the said branch was presented online and the rest are from other branches. Nonetheless, the ambiance wasn't bad, it just felt little to our idea.

We only ordered their take on a iced caramel macchiato. We did not order much as we were just coming back from a tiring day at school and we want to have just coffee. Personally, this take on iced caramel macchiato is one of my favored versions. The sweetness of the ingredients did not give me a hard time distinguishing whether this is still a coffee or a flavored sweetened coffee. It felt easy in the mouth as the mixture of the milk and coffee flows smoothly for every sip.

Do not get us wrong, though the space seemed limited to our take, it was still peaceful. Maybe because there were only few customers present (us and another couple), but we did not take that into account. The staff were approachable and would offer you other items in the menu that you would want to try and even assure that the place is clean so the other customers may feel secured and satisfied with their experience.

Overall, we would recommend this coffee shop for other people who wishes to venture into experiencing different coffee and pastry shops to check. The place of the shop was not much of a hassle to reach as it is pretty accessible to us. We will definitely return, but given the reputation this branch has held us, we would like to give their different branches a shot. You may contact them and find a branch that will suit your location via their Facebook pages, "But First, Coffee." The selection should show you pretty much all of their opened branches and even upcoming ones.

[mystaero]

EQUALITY IS EQUAL TO ALL COLORS

A Testimonio about Transphobia and Homophobia

In the Philippines, the Anti-Discrimination Bills are crucial pieces of policy that seek to protect marginalized groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community, from discrimination. However, the exclusion of transgender individuals and still unfair look to LGBTQIA+ community from this bill is a clear violation of their basic human rights. Transgender people in the country face daily discrimination, harassment, violence, and the lack of legal protection worsen their vulnerability. The passing of this bill without including provisions that protect the rights of transgender individuals will only keep the cycle of oppression and marginalization. It is crucial that the Philippine government, and its people, recognizes the importance of including transgender individuals in Anti-Discrimination Bills and works towards creating a more inclusive society.

Unfortunately, the struggle for transgender rights is not limited to the Philippines. Since our age has access to more than one news site in the world, it is shown and seen in many countries, that transgender individuals face significant challenges in terms of their rights and acceptance. Transphobia, discrimination, and violence against the transgender community remain widespread, maintaining the cycle of marginalization and exclusion. The lack of laws, policies, and legal protection for transgender individuals makes it difficult for them to access basic services such as healthcare, education, and employment. This limits their opportunities for growth and development, provoking the existing inequalities.

To fight the issue of anti-trans bills and gender inequality, we must take a mature and rational approach. Firstly, governments must recognize the importance of protecting the rights of transgender individuals and work towards creating legislation that is inclusive and protects the interests of all marginalized communities. As taboo as it may sound, transgender individuals are still individuals who pay the same amount of tax and breathe the same amount of air just like any of us. Additionally, education and awareness campaigns must be launched to combat the stigma surrounding transgender identities and promote acceptance and understanding. We must also work towards creating safe spaces for transgender individuals and ensure that they have access to basic services and opportunities for growth and development. This can only be achieved by working together to create a more inclusive and unbiased society that values and respects the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.

In conclusion, anti-trans bills and gender inequality continue to be significant challenges around the world, especially in our country. The exclusion of transgender individuals from the proposed "Anti-Discrimination Bill" in the Philippines and rejection of SOGIE Bill is a clear violation of their basic human rights, tolerating the cycle of marginalization and exclusion. To combat this issue, we must take an action to pursue which includes creating inclusive legislation, launching education and awareness campaigns, and creating safe spaces for transgender individuals. By working together towards creating a more inclusive and reasonable society, we can assure that all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, are treated with dignity and respect.

[mystaero]

The Great War: A Field of Bloodshed

"I vowed I would always be yours,

'Cause we survived the Great War."

Taylor Swift's music was never new to my music taste. As a child growing up, I have heard numerous songs from her that are etched in my memory until now. With her recent album named “Midnights,” as influenced by someone special in my life, I was convinced to give it a listen. There were a variety of songs that intrigued my taste, but this specific song that came from her extended album, “Midnights (3AM Edition)”, caught my attention. There were many reasons why. There were plenty of reasons why I specifically had The Great War as one of my most favorite tracks ever. This song has not only pictured a story in my mind, related a specific series of events in my life, and now relieving from certain hardships just recently.

Looking back from my life before the event that is the 15th of October, year 2022, things were magnificent (though still, until now—even better). It was as if things were carefully planned and put into place. She revealed the fact that she could never endure my presence, moreover the idea of being with me in the same class and room. She somehow saw me as a threat and that she would hate me for the days to come. It was funny recalling all of it now, to be completely honest. Could it have been my ego? Most likely. Could it have been my extroverted personality somewhat reaching an obnoxious level? I kind of agree. Could it have been because I excel in class and she also does? I suppose so. For her, she saw me as a potential enemy, someone she would never get along with, but for me, I saw something different. I saw her as someone I may get close with and even become my friend. Spoiler alert, they did not just stay as friends.

The Great War talked about war, hatred, redemption, retreat, home enemies surrendering to finally acknowledge a specific sensation they thought was hatred. A miracle did not happen, because after all that has occurred, with the interactions and engagements we had in the same class, I considered one thing: my feelings. I let my guard down, she thought I did because after all, she never liked me in the first place until we got along because of a single circle of friends. A miracle did not happen, because as I confessed to her, I knew it was bound to happen. For her, she retreated her troops and surrendered for a ceasefire, but to me, I was merely a person interested in risking the healing of my heart that has been prone to betrayal, pain, and anxiety. All I knew during that moment, I wanted to clear things in my head that have been bothering me for a couple while: that I like her more than just a friend and that I will be willing to risk all that comes and will come next. 

We did it. I did it. I confessed my supposedly unsaid feelings towards the most beautiful black rose I have found in the field of dandelions. While I recall things up until this moment, a smile was plastered on my face. The Great War was indeed a fitting song for enemies to lovers as it shows how the characters surrendered to each other and found home within themselves. However, that was not merely the case, there was more. There was more because I have known so since some of the first few days of our relationship, as we committed to it during the 15th of October, year 2022, have become bumpy. We were reading each other as we have just escaped pasts we wish to look back on no longer. These days did not only occur during our first days, some were later on, some were just recently. There was chaos and destruction we never knew we would overcome. 

“Soldier down on that icy ground,

Looked up at me with honor and truth,

Broken and blue, so I called off the troops;

That was the night I nearly lost you,

I really thought I lost you.”

The Great War was not merely hatred to love, it was hardships to relief; conflict to resolution; and struggle to comfort. It was like a song specifically written to narrate a part of my life, a part of my memory that we wish would not happen anymore. Those were days we have buried, but never forgotten, because we are sure that we do not want to reminisce nor reenact what has happened. Struggles that we have already overcome, and now we will be living through.

The Great War is not just a song to describe love. It is a song that I treasure near my heart as it is one of the few things that remind me of the wonderful situation we have as of now. The relief and comfort that we share in this relationship stemmed from hardships that we have conquered, arguments we have solved, and soon there will be more to experience—or at least I am optimistic with solving them. We will never go back to those dark days anymore, at least we hope so. From the experiences we had in the past, we swore an oath to progress and emerge from them with lessons and learnings that we should and should not do in the near future.  

In the Great War, we chose to choose each other. In the Great War, we dropped our weapons and surrendered everything we had—our pride, our banners, our egos—and remembered the most important thing. In the Great War, we reached for each other’s hands as we chose the peace of oneself. Now that we have survived the war, we vowed not to cry and fight anymore. In the Great War, as a song I hold dear in me, I remember the moments not in my point of view, but hers. All of this—all that you have been reading as I have been writing with the same song on repeat for a couple of times already—is because of and about her. Now, we can plant a memory garden and say a solemn prayer for the tears, the screams, and the arguments we have made peace to, but we will not resort to as we promised that we will never go back to that bloodshed—that the worst is now over.

#Spotify

[mystaero]

Viola Davis: Finding Herself, Finding Excellence

Eloquence. Genuineness. Optimism. Talent. Viola Davis achieves EGOT status after receiving outstanding awards from Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

Last 2023 Grammy Awards, actress and producer Viola Davis finally receives her first Grammy Award for the audiobook of her memoir, “Finding Me.” She was awarded with best audio book, narration and storytelling. This was Davis’ first Grammy nomination and win.

Upon winning, she dedicated the win and the piece of her memoir to her younger self. Davis stated, “I wrote this book to honor the 6-year-old Viola. To honor her life, her joy, her trauma, everything. And it has just been such a journey. I just EGOT!” It was no doubt that Davis would win such an award, but to the actress herself, it was a memorable and historic one as she honors not only her work, but also the award for her 6-year-old self.

She is one of the very few women of color to receive such status, completing all Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards due to her brilliant work. Davis is the 18th person to achieve such status, following the last EGOT star, Jennifer Hudson.

Her first Emmy (E) was awarded to her last 2015 as best actress for the TV series, “How to Get Away with Murder.” In 2017, she received the award of best supporting actress for Oscar (O) in “Fences,” a film by Denzel Washington, written by August Wilson, and based on Wilson’s 1985 play. Lastly, she has received two Tony (T) awards “King Hedley II,” in 2001, and once again, “Fences,” in 2010.

[mystaero]

Pro Bono: Lawyer v. The Law

A memoir written by Jericho Louis B. Jumawan

Ever since I was young, my mind was somehow shaped to hate law. Not the laws, law. Once, I heard about how lawyers are the most vile and sinful creatures to ever exist. Even as a kid, I asked to myself, “Why? They’re just only doing their job: to protect their clients.” A response eventually came, “That’s the point. They only defend people who are rich. Money can manipulate law easily.” As a kid, I thought to myself that that had a point. I often see lawyers on TV protecting criminals and syndicates, which made me realize I will never, once ever in my life, think of becoming a lawyer in the future. I had other plans: becoming a chef, computer expert, and whatnot.

Growing up, I see this weird portrayals of lawyers in Philippine television. A lawyer (portrayed by an extra) that does anything their “evil” client says, then the protagonist of the said series will outsmart them and win the scene. Case closed. I thought of it boring as I never saw an actual portrayal of a lawyer in action. I developed no interest with it. That just added to the few reasons why I hate law and lawyers.

Years passed and that ideology remained in my mind. Law is evil and nothing can convince me otherwise. My cousin who was staying with us, just few months older than me, was asked by my parents what course she would take in college. She responded, “Something related with law.” I was a teen, just barely hit as one, and I am still holding onto the belief that I knew law was not a simple field to meddle with. I tried to convince her not to pursue that career since it’s complicated and will get her in plenty of troubles. I was set into believing that people who actually wanted to pursue law are people who wishes to watch the world burn while they enjoy the privilege they have.

Eventually, things change but so do people’s perspective to everything. I was part of those people whose eyes were opened. Slowly, as I began to age, I also began to see matters I never knew existed. I began to see colors of black and white, then eventually presented a choice: which path do I choose? Do I choose the black, the one favoring the oppressor, even though I do matter that conflict myself and harm other people, at the very least I have protection? Do I choose the white, the one oppressed, scarce of power, struggling to climb up the ladders and fight those who trample us?

Not only my eyes were opened, but also my spirit. That’s when I saw various activism, protests, rights, and battles being fought. I heard the other side as well, that these actions are more harmful than helpful to the people involved. I hated law even more. I hated the fact that it divides the people only willing to fight and be free with and from themselves. It was more than chaos it brings, it’s destruction. Total and absolute destruction. It will cause friends, families, and loved ones to turn from each other and that’s when I realized that it wasn’t the law’s fault, it’s the truth.

It’s the truth that divides these people. It’s the truth needed to be heard. It’s the truth that some are so afraid to speak of that they will remain silent just so they can benefit from the false. It’s the truth that some are willing to die for so others may live because of their sacrifices. It’s the truth that separates black from white, but also the one that will unite them if people were only smart enough. It’s the gray.

My eyes have been opened and for the foreseeable future, I don’t see them closing. It confused me for a while, but I managed to keep my head straight to what is right and what is supposed to be—no matter how other people’s views on things may affect me. If the choices presented to me before were the colors black and white, now it’s different. Will I do something about the injustice that I see or remain silent?

It wasn’t even long until I arrived at a conclusion: yes. Yes, I want to do something about it. I somehow felt guilty for realizing it too late. That all these years, the manifestations of law and the things I hate around me is what the world has been telling me. The world is scarred and it will remain to be one unless we act upon it. It will not be easy. It will be painful, agonizing, and torturing, but that is only a few of the risks people must take so we can reshape this world into a better one that we remember it as of now. It will be difficult and we will struggle, but that’s the point of progress.

I have decided to pursue law. I will be taking psychology as my pre-law major and I will be one of the very few many that wants to change how the world spins. Being a part of my current academic strand, Humanities and Social Sciences, is a start, there’s still a lot more. If I want a change, then I will be part of the change. I must be a part of that system in order to change that system into something better, something to be proud of.

[mystaero]

The Making of a Magnum Opus

A biography of Samara Banzon by Jericho Louis Jumawan

Born at Quezon City on the last day of Virgo season, 22nd of September, year 2004, Samara Gabrielle Nicole O. Banzon was the youngest female child of her father and mother. Her father is a chef, and her mother decided to quit her job to raise her alongside her older brother. Her parents met at a restaurant called “Singing Cooks and Waiters” in Pasay. While growing up, her parents, especially her father, did their best and all to support and provide for the both of them. In the meantime, while her father was working as a chef, he was known to be participating singing competitions because he found enjoyment in singing. Her mother, on the other hand, sold jewelry and attempted to pursue other small businesses to help supply for them.

Before moving to Caloocan when she was in fifth grade, their family resided in Cainta, Rizal. By the same time, her older brother was in his second-year of college. Despite having ups and downs throughout their journey in their lives, they remained strong and formidable as a family. She is currently a grade 12 STEM student at Our Lady of Fatima University. She described her education and current experience as difficult because of the academic strand she is in. Though she is facing challenges and trials to overcome, she wishes to describe the experience as enjoyable because she gets to learn new knowledge and information in her classes each and every day passes.

She intends to study the course Medical Technology as a pre-medical major in college. She describes her experience as a young adult as challenging due to the fact that she felt pressured to accomplish things in order to prove herself to others. According to her, adulting has been stressful and troublesome as it includes a lot of responsibilities to fill. Despite of all of this, she expresses herself as an independent woman, because she has always been able to handle things on her own since she was a kid.

Samara has been a dear friend and acquaintance of mine since the later year of our seventh grade. While a part of our high school’s dance club, we eventually had unexpected encounters and meetings along the way and because of that, those accidents eventually lead to a wonderful product: an inspiring friendship. I have known her throughout these years as someone capable of being independent and reliable in terms of any matters, as long as she is able to help. She will lend not just a hand, but a whole friend to listen and keep your secrets and queries only known by her. As she pursues her dreams and goals in life, I wish nothing but all the best to her. She deserves no more less than the wonderful person that she is.

Some people can easily consider someone as a friend when they feel safe when they are with them, but her case is not the same. Sam is the type of friend who is not just a friend, but almost a sister. She had defended my name and reputation in times people will be talking false accusations and gossips behind my back, and that is one of the many things I admire about her as her friend. Looking into it, I would not wish to be in her shoes. With the many struggles and challenges she had faced, I doubt I would be able to overcome such obstacles as well as she did. For her, I would not wish she would deserve the world, but rather this world deserves having her.

[mystaero]

The Void as My Home: An Autobiography

Born an innocent male babe in a hospital at Quezon City on the eighth of September, 2004, I, Jericho Louis B. Jumawan, was already privileged. Not that I remember anything, but what I know is that I have been assured by my mother that no fly would lay on my skin. That’s how I knew I was living a life some may consider still not enough, but to some, already a dream. I am the younger brother to my sister with an eleven-year age gap and the only male child of my mother and biological father. Though my family originally came from Manila, eventually we moved places and houses as years went by and I was raised in Caloocan up to present. Years and moments passed, things changed and soon developed a different route to my life. This was just the beginning of a long journey of mine.

I was confused growing up. For some reason, now looking back, it felt like so. It’s as if I was trapped in a void, even though I wasn’t. As if I was hidden of many things I am yet to know—that I am supposed to know. Then year 2012, I knew my stepfather, the father I knew growing up was never my real father. It was a hard pill to swallow at a young age of eight as a child’s mind only begins to develop—barely. Though tough, I wasn’t sure how to handle such things, I somehow just did. I moved on from it and was grateful for the father I have now. My biological father, however, I resented. I knew no consideration nor forgiveness for what he has done to destroy my family. Now, that resentment bloomed. I could say that I could care less, that I don’t mind it, which is the truth, but that does not mean that I will learn how to forgive.

The void expanded. I was a “chubby” kid since then. Eventually, I got tired of all the “compliments” I received. It developed into an insecurity. At a young age, I chose to wear big clothes to hide my physique. When puberty started to hit, around year 2017, I started to lose weight. That was when I was then made jokes and fun of for being “too thin.” So, still, I wore bigger clothes, sweaters and jackets, to cover my body, trying not to show any skin whatsoever.

The void consumed me eventually. This started around the same time of the year 2017 onwards. Points of no return whether to give up or give in. A voice in that abyss whispered to me not to be afraid and just be myself. It was easier said than done, I thought. But not if I have someone in that abyss to accompany me: myself. Baby steps, I made the move. I made the small steps up until I was already doing leaps. From writing, gaming, finally going back to dancing, pursuing some other interests from here and there, and so on. I felt almighty. Alone in that abyss, I felt stronger than ever.

At that same time, heartbreaks. It eventually came. From parents, past connections, friends, so on. I took every ounce of pity to trash and left only love for myself. I figured I needed nothing but only love for who I am so I can conquer the unfortunate events coming to late. Chaotic was an understatement of a word to explain it. As harsh as these words may sound, but to me, these weren’t fabricated words taught to me by myself as I ventured throughout my journey of seeing through the outside of the void.

The abyss was too kind to me. Though alone in my own sanctuary, I still had friends and found better ones. Better people that would reciprocate the love I have for myself being reflected to them, then to me. It was more than just a connection, but rather a relationship—a bond. That abyss was more than just a thought inside my head that I had ever since I was a child, it was my safe place. A place of nothing that I made into something more.

In that abyss, with all my gratitude to it, I made changes to myself—some were to make me decide better, some were to make me stronger. In that place I had, I made peace to myself. That all what I had in the past; the privileges, pain, suffering, happiness, nonsense, all were considered, but not tolerated anymore. I started anew, far from the person people expected me to be, but what my “selves” wish me to be.

to more, to growth, to love