ON A DIFFERENT NOTE | Marriage? In This Economy?! How to Survive Love, Life, and Drama with a Sprinkle of Empathy

And just like that, two of my colleagues asked me if I was already married, and that question hit me hard—not because I hadn’t been asked before, but because it felt like a reflection of a broader societal expectation that no longer fits the world we live in. Why are people still fixated about marriage, especially in this kind of economy? It’s challenging enough to support yourself, let alone take on the responsibility of raising a family. For me, that question was not about love or relationships, but about survival in an increasingly harsh economic landscape.

JOURNAL | The Fishy Tragedy: A Late-Night Disaster in Corporate Hell

It’s 10 p.m., and you’ve just left the office—well, “escaped” might be the better word. You’ve been there so long that the janitors have already done their rounds *twice.* And no, you’re not one of those people who carries a sleek little laptop that fits nicely into a bag. Oh no. You have a full-on desktop setup—keyboard, mouse, *the works*. Because apparently, *someone* in IT thought, “You know what this person needs? A device that weighs as much as their hopes and dreams.” By the time you get home, it’s 11 p.m. You’re tired, you’re hungry, and you’re dreaming of sitting down, eating your dinner, and maybe staring at a wall for an hour in existential exhaustion. 

ARTICLE | The Illusion of Fame: Lessons from Liam Payne's Fall

We live in a world where fame and fortune are seen as the ultimate markers of success. Scroll through social media, and it feels like everyone who's “made it” must be living the dream: beautiful vacations, perfect friendships, and a life that seems nothing short of glamorous. I wanted to write about Liam Payne today, the former One Direction member, but to be honest, I'm not much of a fan. I don’t follow One Direction’s music closely, nor do I idolize the culture surrounding them. Yet, I can’t help but reflect on the haunting reality that surrounds celebrities like Payne. They have what many of us think we want: money, fame, fans. 

TRAVEL | Why Isn’t the Philippines a Top Tourist Destination for Europeans? Here’s What’s Holding It Back

Last week, I found myself chatting with some German clients who mentioned their visit to the Philippines a few years ago. While listening to them reminisce about their time in the country, it suddenly hit me—why isn’t the Philippines more popular among European tourists? The Philippines is brimming with natural beauty, from breathtaking beaches to lush landscapes, not to mention the warm, English-speaking locals. Yet, for some reason, the Philippines doesn’t seem to make it to the top of the list when it comes to European travel destinations.

It’s a question that begs an answer, especially when neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore are thriving in tourism. So, what’s holding the Philippines back from being a global tourist hub? 

THE QUIET CORNER | Endless Spiral of Distraction

Sometimes, we just need to clear our minds. It’s almost impossible to focus when there’s so much going on inside our heads. The more we think about it, the more we get lost in that spiral. It feels like trying to grab a cloud—you can’t catch it, and the more you try, the more you drift away.

We all know the routine: you sit down to focus on the task at hand, determined to be productive. But then, out of nowhere, your brain decides to take a trip—unconsciously, without your permission. "A quick break won’t hurt," you tell yourself. "Just a few minutes, right?" 

But those minutes have a sneaky way of turning into hours. Before you know it, the good part of the day has slipped away, and you’ve accomplished… nothing. Absolutely nothing. The same thing happens every day, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to break the cycle. It’s a frustrating loop—your mind drifts, you procrastinate, and the day fades without any progress. The spiral is real.

JOURNAL | Counting the Days: A Reflection on Life, Purpose, and the Unexpected

It’s funny how life throws us curveballs when we least expect them. We go through our routines—waking up, going to work, complaining about the mundane—and then, out of nowhere, something happens that shakes our sense of normalcy to its core. 

The other day, I got news that left me speechless. A friend of mine, not someone I’m particularly close to, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He’s in his late twenties, young and full of potential, and yet here he is, facing a challenge that no one should have to confront at that age. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. How is it that I spend so much of my energy sulking over trivial matters when people like him are grappling with life-threatening illnesses? 

HEALTH | Understanding Uric Acid: Causes, Complications, and Treatment Options

Uric acid is a natural waste product that forms when the body breaks down purines, substances found in some foods and drinks. Under normal conditions, the kidneys filter uric acid from the blood, and it is expelled through urine. However, when the body produces too much uric acid or fails to eliminate it efficiently, uric acid levels rise in the blood, leading to potential health complications such as gout, kidney stones, and in severe cases, kidney failure. This article explores what uric acid is, the potential complications caused by elevated uric acid levels, and treatment options to manage these conditions effectively.

PINK NOTES | That Thing About Group Fun

In Metro Manila and other urban areas, it's common for discreet men to seek physical gratification through various activities. While satisfaction varies from person to person, group encounters have become a popular choice for many. However, these activities don’t just come with personal or emotional considerations—they also carry significant legal implications. From privacy issues to potential legal risks associated with public indecency or solicitation, participants must be aware of the laws that govern these encounters. This article will explore the legal landscape surrounding group activities, shedding light on potential legal consequences, privacy concerns, and the protections available to individuals involved.

Related article - How to Organize Group Fun

Illegal ba ang Group Fun sa Pinas?

To answer the burning question: Illegal ba ang consensual na group fun sa Pilipinas? Ang simple answer: hindi, basta may tamang kondisyon. Sa ngayon, walang specific na batas sa Pilipinas na nagbabawal sa consensual activities sa pagitan ng mga adults, kabilang na ang group fun, hangga’t ginagawa ito sa pribadong lugar at hindi lumalabag sa ibang batas.

Dahil walang direktang probisyon sa Revised Penal Code o iba pang batas na nagsasabing bawal ito, legal ang consensual seggs sa pagitan ng mga adults (whether straight o gay) basta’t hindi ito nagiging sanhi ng public disturbance, prostitution, exploitation, o anumang ilegal na gawain. Ika nga, "What happens in private, stays in private!"

PINK NOTES | Dibah?! Hindi Lahat Ng Bekis Pare-Pareho: A Deep Dive (Or Shallow Dip) Into the Spectrum of Being Gay in 2024

Henlo, ghorl, beshies! Gather around, because today we are spilling some piping hot tea hotter than that last BGC drunk-driving fiasco or the latest Congress drama. Have you ever noticed na parang sa gay world, para kang nasa isang never-ending fashion show? Werk! Serve! Sashay! Pero, hindi lahat ay pasok sa isang standard of beauty. Akala mo ba, lahat tayo ay kailangan maging parang Calvin Klein model? Sis, hindi ganon!

Let's start with the obvious: hindi lahat ng bekis ay macho at mukhang pornstar.Yet, we live in a world where media (old and new) pushes the idea that gays should either look like a buffed Adonis. Kaloka! Traditional media, even social media, ang peg, promotes this idea that "hyper-masculine" gays get all the attention, the drinks, and... well, everything, from the club to the bathhouse to even Grindr’s thirsty DMs. Naka-influence talaga ang mga corporations na ‘yan—trying to make sure we buy their overpriced skincare, fashion, and gym memberships. They be like, “Gurl, don’t even think of showing up without looking like Piolo Pascual in a swimsuit ad.”

Read up on a related article:
The Problem with Pogi ( 29 June 2020 )

But is it really all that? Kailangan ba talaga na magka-abs at muscles galore para sumaya bilang bakla? Charot! Honestly, what we’re served on social media is a fantasy sold to us—sugar-coated in six-pack abs and Calvin Klein underwear. It’s like buying into a K-drama fantasy thinking you’re gonna end up with someone as gwapo as Park Seo Joon when, in reality, si kuya fishball vendor lang ang kakuwentuhan mo sa tapat ng tricycle terminal. 

So paano na yung mga beshies na hindi nagge-gym araw-araw? I mean, kahit si Ate Vice, pumiyok na: “Iba-iba tayo ng trip at beauty!” Kaya relax ka lang dyan sa tabi, let’s talk about how you can be the best version of yourself—kahit na walang six-pack abs, walang gym selfies, at kahit simpleng kumusta ka? lang sa Tinder.